July 4, 2023 – Reflection on “Freedom In Jesus”!
So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” John 8:31-32.
When my group of sixth graders demanded longer recesses and better food in the lunchroom, I knew it was time for them to investigate the essence of the freedom they desired by writing about freedom how it is achieved.
Celebrating the Fourth of July and the freedom of our nation through the constitution and the lives lost in fighting for this precious gift of freedom.
Then I learned that my Mother was born on the 4th of July on a small 
farm in Kansas during the wheat harvest. I found a letter my Grandmother wrote to my Mother. It told that in 1907, my Grandma Suderman could not announce the birth of Anna on the party line phone because, the operator did not work on the 4th of July. (https://emilys-snippets.com/hold-the-phone/) When someone asked me if my Mom was born on the 4th of July, I often replied as a child, “My Mom is a firecracker of a Mom!”
Why is freedom important? For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1. We are either free in Christ and living His Way, or we are enslaved to the ways of the world with its corruption and lies. Two choices, follow the World or follow God!
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7. Life in Jesus is one of being His Ambassador by teaching and living a life of love, serving others.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2.
What is Love? How do we love? Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:7-8.
When Jesus left this world, He said, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. John 14:26-28.
The Fruit of the Spirit is this: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. This is what the Holy Spirit teaches.
And how do we love? Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong–doing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. I Corinthians 13;4-8.
An important ingredient of Love is Forgiveness. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11.
The immensity of God’s power came to me as I waded into the ocean and stood there for a moment, feeling the pull of the tide that threatened to topple me. The wonder of His Creation in the Beginning continues to intrigue me with His wonder, grace, and desire to redeem us with His eternal love.
Ultimate freedom is worshipping the One and Only God whom I trust with my life now, and forever. The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. Psalm 37:4-5.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 22-23.
‘Your promise still stands, Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness, I’m still in Your hands, This is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet!’ (Elevation Worship)