Nothing says freedom for Americans like the 4th of July. Everywhere families were celebrating the day in a very similar manner: picnics and barbecues, days at the lake, at the park, or in the backyard, and then fireworks in the evening. It’s that one day a year when as a nation we truly celebrate our national heritage together and appreciate what our forefathers did for us.
However, we often forget that freedom from outside oppression does not equate to freedom from inner chains. Many of us find ourselves captive to destructive thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and desires. Breaking free from these chains can seem just as formidable as breaking free from a foreign power.
War must be waged, but it is good to know that we are not alone in this battle, nor is it through our own power that this battle is won.
In Luke 4:18 Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free . . . .” And remember, the Jews were looking for an earthly leader to free them from Roman occupation and oppression, but Jesus was talking about spiritual bondage. The kind we face daily.
Victory does require that “let go and let God” foundation along with that moment by moment reliance on His strength, but that is the good news. We can have victory and true freedom.
However, we often forget that freedom from outside oppression does not equate to freedom from inner chains. Many of us find ourselves captive to destructive thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and desires. Breaking free from these chains can seem just as formidable as breaking free from a foreign power.
War must be waged, but it is good to know that we are not alone in this battle, nor is it through our own power that this battle is won.
In Luke 4:18 Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free . . . .” And remember, the Jews were looking for an earthly leader to free them from Roman occupation and oppression, but Jesus was talking about spiritual bondage. The kind we face daily.
Victory does require that “let go and let God” foundation along with that moment by moment reliance on His strength, but that is the good news. We can have victory and true freedom.
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