Breaking Free: Embracing the Freedom Christ Offers

We often hear that Jesus came to forgive our sins, but His mission was far greater than that. He came to set the captives free, to bring liberty to those bound by chains both seen and unseen. Yet, how many of us are still living as though we're captive, even though Jesus has already broken our chains?

Consider the story of a baboon, chained to a post with only a few feet of movement. Over time, it becomes conditioned to stay within that small circle. Even when the chain is removed, the baboon remains trapped by invisible boundaries. Sadly, this can be true for many of us in our spiritual lives. Jesus has already purchased our freedom, yet we confine ourselves with the same limitations – fear, insecurity, past failures, and the lies we tell ourselves or that others have spoken over us.

The good news is that Jesus didn't just break the chains so we could stay where we've always been. He set us free so we could walk in the fullness of what He has prepared for us. As John 8:36 reminds us, "So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." This isn't just a historical statement or a nice idea – it's a personal invitation to each of us right now.

But what kind of captivity is Jesus talking about? There are many forms:

1. Captivity to sin
2. Captivity of fear (anxiety, insecurity, worry)
3. Captivity of past wounds and abuse
4. Captivity to lies of the enemy
5. Captivity of spiritual oppression

Jesus isn't just proclaiming freedom; He's offering it in reality. Freedom begins with the truth of what Jesus has done for us. We receive it, believe it, and walk in it. It's simple, but not always easy.

So how do we step into this freedom? There are three key steps:

1. Reveal: We must acknowledge the chains that are present. Romans 8:1 reminds us, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Freedom begins with honesty before God. We can't break free from something we refuse to acknowledge. Healing cannot happen in hiding. When we bring things into the light, we begin to step into our true identity in Christ.

2. Remove: We must wage war on our sin and bondage. Romans 8:13 says, "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." This isn't about working for our freedom or falling into legalism. It's about partnering with the Spirit to walk in the freedom Christ has already won for us. We don't set ourselves free – Jesus has already done that. But we do have a responsibility to remove the things that keep pulling us back into bondage.

3. Renew: We must be transformed through the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:1-2 encourages us, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." True freedom is both spiritual and practical. It's not just about experiencing a moment of breakthrough; it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to change the way we think and live.

The renewal of our minds happens through truth. The more we fill our hearts with God's Word, the more we begin to live in reality. We can renew our minds by feasting on Scripture, surrounding ourselves with people of faith, and walking a daily surrendered life to the Holy Spirit.

As we pursue this freedom, we must remember that it's not about striving in our own strength. Galatians 5:16 tells us, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Our freedom is found in surrender to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.

Consider this: If you had a poisonous snake in your home, you wouldn't ignore it, make peace with it, or try to feed it. You would remove it. This is how we need to deal with sin and strongholds in our lives. Not because we're trying to be better Christians or earn God's favor, but because we're already free and we refuse to let anything pull us back into bondage.

It's time to ask ourselves some hard questions:

- Are we still pacing inside the boundaries of an old captivity that Jesus has already freed us from?
- Are we still living like the chains are there, even though they've been completely broken?
- Are we putting our weight on the promise of freedom?
- Are we allowing things like fear to keep us bound?

The beautiful truth is that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). The beginning of freedom is surrendering to His Lordship. So often, the root of bondage is looking to other things to be our lord.

As we step into the freedom Christ offers, we need to continue asking the Holy Spirit to identify those areas that are still keeping us bound. We must be willing to expose them, allowing light to shine on them. Once they're exposed, they can be dealt with.

Remember, Jesus never shamed His people for being bound. He only called them to step into freedom. He has already provided everything we need to receive His freedom. Now, it's our turn to partner with Him as we walk it out.

Let's pray for God to reveal those areas in our lives where we're still living in captivity. Let's ask for the courage to remove anything that's keeping us bound, and for the Holy Spirit to renew our minds with His truth. As we do, we'll find ourselves walking in new levels of freedom – the freedom that Christ died to give us.

Are you ready to break free and embrace the abundant life Jesus came to offer? The chains have been broken. It's time to step beyond them and into the wide-open spaces of God's promises for your life.