Freedom In Christ

I wrote this in reply to the statement—“For all the ministry that goes on in the Church, we seem dogged by a lack of FREEDOM in Christ”

I have seen some whom I have led to faith in Christ experience freedom but certainly not very many.

There is a pattern of sorts (certainly not a formula) where true freedom is found.
Freedom is conditional. Jesus’ quote about freedom is often not complete. It is conditional, it contains an if-- John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The freedom Jesus describes is found only in abiding in Him. Being completely sold out, living in, and participating in Him.

The first disciples of Jesus left their nets behind—they did not drag them along with themselves, they even left their relatives behind. The disciples of the Baptist had to leave John behind and to follow after Jesus. Matthew got up and left all behind and followed Jesus. I believe most do not find the freedom they desire is because they have not left all. We have been sold a bill of goods which says ‘you can follow Christ and serve yourself’ when we are told by our Lord that friendship with the world is enmity with God—we cannot serve God and mammon, etc. We are told that Christ wants to be a part of our lives when in fact He wants all of our life—100% of it, not just the convenient spots. We hang on to our material attachments and then wonder why we’re not experiencing the freedom Jesus promises and in fact provides.

John 8:33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

There needs to be an awareness that we are indeed in bondage. Unless people know they are in bondage there will be no yearning for freedom. Unless one is free how can they themselves proclaim freedom? Too often we are talking about freedom through our cell door and hearer knows it.

I find many Christians want to have the best of both possible worlds, to live a life dictated by the flesh and asking God to bless that life.
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
A yoke can be an ‘old friend’—broken in just right, comfortable around the neck, sitting in just the right position on our calloused necks.

“St Paul's cry of liberation from his own sordid past of persecuting and witnessing the killing of Christians” was only possible because he stopped persecuting and killing Christians and lived a new and converted life—a life which Paul required of those who would call themselves followers of Christ. The apostle writes to the devotees in Ephesus: “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Jesus said “I will make you fishers of me”—He will make us into something which we are not. He will provide the net, He will provide the proper environment to find fish, He will even provide the fish.

You said--“I am moved to begin to seek to understand and to live the Truth of being set free in Christ Jesus”. I am too. I know that true freedom is found only in the presence of Jesus. Living in Him 24/7. Devoting myself to Him and Him alone. Finding that best place, not in the activity of Martha but in the simplicity of Mary—sitting at the Master’s feet.

To borrow a text from the Vedas--
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32):"O Lord, the intelligence of those who think themselves liberated (free) but who have no devotion is impure. Even though they rise to the highest point of liberation by dint of severe penances and austerities, they are sure to fall down again into material existence, for they do not take shelter at Your lotus feet."

I hope this made some sense.
Peace, Jim