LIFE Posts - Living in Freedom Everyday
Welcome to LIFE Posts!
For those who have been getting the weekly message from my personal email account, welcome to the new home of LIFE Posts. To those who find this online, welcome! LIFE Posts is a weekly newsletter (and eventually in the near future, a podcast), that is intended to encourage Christians in their daily walk of sanctification by emphasizing and re-emphasizing their Identity as Christ defines it, and exploring facets of the Freedom Jesus has given to those who call Him Savior. This is LIFE - Living In Freedom Everyday!
Freedom in Christ has a different meaning from secular freedom, so let us refresh ourselves on some of these differences. Websters defines freedom as:
free•dom \ˈfrē-dəm\ noun
1: the quality or state of being free: as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence
c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous 〈freedom from care〉
d: ease, facility 〈spoke the language with freedom〉
e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken 〈answered with freedom〉
f: improper familiarity
g: boldness of conception or execution
h: unrestricted use 〈gave him the freedom of their home〉
2 a: a political right
b: franchise, privilege
synonym freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. Freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated 〈freedom of the press〉. Liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion 〈the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty〉. License implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom 〈freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license〉[1]
Theologian John Frame notes of this freedom, “…Generally speaking, a person is free when (1) he has the ability to do something, (2) there is some obstacle or barrier that might have prevented him from exercising that ability but is not now preventing him. Someone is ‘set free’ from prison, e.g. when he can go where he likes without the barriers of prison walls, bars, guards etc. People have political freedom when they are able to publish political opinions, organize political parties, etc. without government interference. So freedom is always both a ‘freedom to’ and a ‘freedom from’, freedom to do something and freedom from some obstacle.”[2]
Secular freedom’s focus or object can vary by a person’s circumstances. A prisoner views freedom as being released from prison. A person in financial distress will view freedom as having monetary resources releasing them from distress. Someone under another’s authority may view escaping that authority as obtaining freedom. In human terms, freedom generally has a positive connotation, although as Websters notes when freedom is abused it results in license, where a person uses their freedom to abuse someone or something else.
Cultural views of freedom, too, vary. There are few hot button discussions like those about the 2nd Amendment in the USA. Ignoring the politics of that topic, if we simply consider the freedom worldview of both sides of debate, we can see that the opposing sides view freedom in opposite perspectives. Both sides believe their freedom and safety is at risk if the other side has their way. Both sides believe human freedoms are a place of security, and that if the opposing side has their way, unjust submission and loss of security is required on their part. So in human terms, one person's desired freedom can be at the expense of another person's perceived freedom.
Freedom in Christ, which is spiritual freedom, has a different focus and meaning than man’s ideal of “freedom to do because I am free from” thinking and mindset. A person who walks in Christ’s Freedom isn’t autonomous and independent but is paradoxically very much free from very real bondage(s). In the coming messages we will spend a good deal of time exploring this, but to start with, let us note that everyone is bound to something.
Romans 6:22–23 (NASB95 - emphasis mine) 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [3]
In essence, the Freedom Jesus has for mankind is freedom from the bondage of sin, but in opposition to humanity’s ideal of freedom, Freedom in Christ includes submission by choosing to be enslaved to God. This submission allows us to operate in the freedom of serving our Creator in deep, intimate relationship with Him.
In the Old Testament, we see a glimpse of this perspective of freedom with Israel's release from slavery to the Egyptians in order to serve Him (emphasis mine).
Exodus 7:16 (NASB95) 16 “You shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold, you have not listened until now.” [4]
Moses was instructed by God to tell Pharoh to release the Israelites from captivity so that they could serve God. To the secular world, being freed from one master just to serve another doesn’t sound like man’s ideal of freedom. The western mindset especially yearns to have no master other than oneself. Such thinking is blind to the fact that “freedom from” God is in fact slavery to sin, which leads to an eternity separated from Him. At the onset of His public ministry, Jesus read the following from Isaiah at the synagogue in Nazareth:
Luke 4:17–21 (NASB95 - emphasis mine) 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” [5]
We see in these verses Jesus declaring the He came to fulfill this prophecy written approximately 750 years before He was born. This prophecy of the Messiah promised that He would bring freedom for the captives and oppressed. Just as His coming didn’t match the expectations of the Jewish people of His day (which was a conquering Messiah who would overthrow Rome), the Freedom Jesus has for mankind even today isn’t one that provides autonomous independence, “free” from any higher authority. Freedom in Christ involves submission and servitude, but our Savior invites us to join ourselves to Him in order to do so. As we move forward, we will explore facets of this truth.
A brief word on the weekly message formatting – each week’s message will close with some thoughts and questions for the reader to spend time going over during the following week. Several keys to getting the most out of this: 1) Spend time in prayer about what grabs your attention, communing with the Holy Spirit. 2) Spend time in the Word, meditating on the scriptures shared in the list below. Speak the scriptures out loud – and place yourself/your name into them, personifying them. For example, substitute your name for “you” in Romans 8:2 below. 3) Keep a journal, recording your thoughts and what the Spirit speaks to you in your time with Him. In your journal, if there are any questions that arise about the topic discussed, or even about the scripture verses, write those questions down - and then take them to the Spirit to discuss in prayer. He knows you have questions, and rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 4) Be involved in a small group of other believers and share the questions and insights you receive with them.
Application/Questions/Journal your thoughts
- When you hear the word freedom, what immediately comes to mind?
- In the context of spiritual freedom, are you free - or are there areas in your life that you believe you are not free?
- In Revelation 1:5, we’re told that Jesus “…has freed us from our sins by His blood…” How does knowing that believers in Him are set free from their sins impact your view of what freedom is?
- Can you think of ways in which worldly freedom is in fact bondage to sin?
Scripture of the week
John 8:36 (NET 2nd ed.) 36 So if the son sets you free, you will be really free. [6]
Romans 8:2 (NET 2nd ed.) 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. [7]
Galatians 5:13 (NET 2nd ed.) 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. [8]
Romans 6:18 (NET 2nd ed.) 18 and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. [9]
Weekly prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your precious love for me, and the freedom from sin You purchased for me on the cross! Holy Spirit, I give you permission to examine my heart and reveal any area of spiritual bondage I may be walking in so that I can surrender it to You to walk in the fullness of freedom You have for me. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy Name! Amen.
Freedom Facet
Worldly freedom focuses on independence, being free from any restraint upon being free to do whatever is desired. This type of "freedom" rejects God, and is sin just as Adam and Eve's choice to disobey God's one command in the Garden of Eden was. Jesus’ Freedom is release from the captivity of sin, a His gift to those who call upon Him as Lord. With His gift of Freedom, believers are called to submit themselves to Him, relying upon Him and His power to make and keep them free.
Jesus's Freedom is for those who call Him Lord - those who believe in Him. If you’ve not yet accepted Christ Jesus as Your Lord, and would like to, say the following prayer aloud.
Lord Jesus, I confess and realize that I am a sinner, and without You, I am lost and separated from God. Thank You for going to the cross and dying for my sins – I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins, and I thank you and receive the forgiveness of my sins Your Word says is now mine! Holy Spirit, I thank You that You now reside within me. I lay down my will for Yours and ask for Your daily guidance and direction to make me more and more like You. Amen!
The Bible tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God resurrected Jesus from the dead, we are saved for eternity. If you’ve just accepted Jesus as Lord, know that heaven is celebrating right now (Luke 15:10)! Rejoice because you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and now have begun the process of sanctification becoming like Him. Keep coming back, as we explore Freedom facets and what our Identity in Christ truly is. Share this joyous news with a brother or sister in Christ and get connected in your local church! LIFE is yours!
Small Group Invitations - Week of April 12, 2026
Below are invitations to just a couple of Men's Small Groups that are happening this week, both a part of Celebration Church, Georgetown, Texas. If these don't work for you, or if you're not a Celebration Church, TX attendee - regardless of the church you attend - being a part of small group is immensely important! If you're not involved in one, I pray that you find one that works for your schedule and you get plugged in. Being connected in the local church will bless you immeasurably!
Tuesday Morning Men's Fellowship Group: 6am - 7am at Rudy's BBQ in Round Rock, Texas. Join us for a time of fellowship where we'll discuss the message from the Pastors on Sunday, the newsletter contents, or whatever is going on in the lives of the brothers meeting.
Friday Morning Celebration Men: 6:30am - 8:am at the Celebration Church Annex, 1202 Rabbit Hill Road, Georgetown, TX. Join us at 6:30am for breakfast tacos and coffee, and to hear a word from one of the Pastors and then small group discussion from 7am to 8am. We conclude at 8am so people can get to work.
[1] Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2003. In Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary., Eleventh ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
[2] Frame, J. M. 2006. “Determinism, Chance and Freedom.” In New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics, edited by Campbell Campbell-Jack and Gavin J. McGrath, 218. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press.
[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[4] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[7] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[8] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[9] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.