At the end of the movie Braveheart, the Scottish patriot William Wallace shouted at the top of his lungs “FREEDOM!” It was my favorite moment in the film. Freedom is a value and a hope that seems to be embedded in virtually every human heart.
Many years ago one of the American Presidents, Franklin Roosevelt articulated this as 4 freedoms: Freedom of speech, of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Historically, very few countries have achieved that for their people, mostly because of greed and the desire for power by the few over the many.
But friends, there are some freedoms far greater than mere political freedoms! Jesus came to set us free! There may be more but I have found at least 6!
Jesus said, ” You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. John 8:32 Freedom from Satan’s lies about you and lies about God!
He set us free from the bondage of the law as the means of salvation! “Christ has set us free, stand fast therefore, and do not submit to a yoke of slavery” Galatians 5:1 and…”The law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” Romans 8:2
He set us free from the fear of death! ” “Through death He might destroy the one who had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” Hebrews 2:14, 15.
He has delivered us from sin’s POWER in our lives! ” Now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God….and the fruit you get leads to sanctification and it’s end, eternal life. Romans 6:22
Finally, he has saved us from sin’s PENALTY by dying for us while we were still sinners, ” God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly”. Romans 5:8
I would like to add that he also saves us from worry by committing to never leaving us or forsaking us…all of our lives…right to the end! Hebrews 13:6
So, I think that is six freedoms! And they are eternal promises by God sealed by the blood of His Son! Maybe you can think of some more! So today, when you read this, give thanks that you have so much more than 4 freedoms based upon political promises. You might even want to shout FREEDOM! Because as Jesus said, ” if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” John 8:32. FREEDOM! Indeed!
Terry