Dear Northside
In the coming week America will celebrate 4th July, their independence. Many churches in America will be preaching on Freedom or at least celebrating their freedom or independence.
But what is freedom? As we look at America, and let’s be honest all around the world including our own country, what is freedom and why are we not reaping the benefits of our freedom?
It seems clear to me that the world does not understand what true freedom is. Freedom is so much more than freeing yourself from oppression. The basis of the American civil war and the civil war in our own country. The world believes that this is freedom, freedom now to do whatever we please. No one telling us what we can and cannot do. We see the results of this belief around the world and it is not a pretty picture. Why? Because the heart of mankind is sinful. In Genesis 6:5 we read “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of is heart was altogether evil all the time.” Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?”
This is what makes our sermon series through the book of Galatians so relevant. Not only are we studying the true Gospel, but we are looking at what true freedom is.
The true Gospel is we are saved by GRACE alone from God the Father alone, through FAITH alone in CHRIST alone.
True freedom is not found in strict adherence to any law made by man, any system we create to try and please God. Christ’s sacrifice sets believers free from bondage to the law. Tue freedom leads us to a life of faith, love and spiritual transformation. True freedom is not a licence to sin but an invitation to live a life empowered by the Spirit, free from the constraints of legalism and filled with the love of God. True freedom transforms our hearts, guides us to love others and draws us into a deeper relationship with God. True freedom is not about independence, it is about dependence on Jesus Christ, living by the Spirit. It is not about serving ourselves, but serving God and others. True freedom is life in Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You have given us through Your sacrifice. Help us to embrace this freedom, to live by faith and to walk in step with Your Spirit. Free us from the chains of legalism, self-centredness and approval seeking. Teach us to use our freedom to love and serve others. Transform our hearts, Lord, that we may reflect Your grace, love and peace to those around us. May our lives be a testimony of the true freedom found only in You. In Your Holy Name, Amen