The Time is NOW to Walk in Freedom
A child was walking along a path lined with Palm Trees on a cold day but the Sun was shining brightly. His parent was not far behind so the child had the freedom to explore his world to the fullest. As the child walked along the path, his parent noticed that the child would abruptly move to a new spot on the path, play contently and then move again. Finally, the parent concerned that something was bothering the child asked, “why do you keep moving from one place on the path to another?” to which the child replied, “I’m trying to play in the Sun but it keeps running from me.”
Have you ever felt like being in the absolute best place in life is short-lived; it’s like a child who has not come to realize that the sun moves behind the trees as a normal occurrence every day. We all want to enjoy the sun but there are times when it hides behind the trees.
Walking in freedom is a lot like walking on a path filled with sunshine and good times. However if there are trees on the path it is inevitable that the sun will hide behind them. Like the child in our story, it is easy to feel like the sun is hiding from you and affecting your freedom.
Last week, I shared about different kinds of bondage that commonly keep us from experiencing long term, sustained freedom. Let us review some examples:
● Selfishness-- Luke 9:23, “If anyone will come after me they must deny…”
● Bitterness-- Colossians 3:12-14
● The pain of rejection-- Colossians 1:21-22
● Believing lies--2 Corinthians 10:5
Here are a few more I would like to add to that list:
● Legalism .
● Insecurity
● Lust
Here is the problem…
When you break free from any kind of bondage, Satan stands ready to drag you back in.
Your discouraging self-talk along with Satan’s accusations make you an easy target. Why am I not over this? I thought I had been delivered! I will never be able to overcome this! Galatians 5:1 NLT 1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
Declare it loud: There is NO GOING BACK to bondage!
HOW TO STAY OUT OF BONDAGE AND WALK IN FREEDOM LONG TERM
1. Declare that you are dead to sin.
Romans 6:11-13 NLT (11) So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. (12) Do not let sin control the way you live; which is subject to death. Do not give in to sinful desires. (13a) Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. ● There is a bold, declaration of reality: “I’m dead to you, sin!” ● In addition, there is an active resistance against temptation.
2. Offer yourself entirely to God.
Romans 6:13-14 NLT (13b) Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. (14) Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. ● Offer your life, in its entirety, to God, but also… ● Offer every part of who you are and every day of your life.
3. Be Guided by the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-25 NLT (16) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (19) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, (21) envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (22) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! ● Walk in his presence (always staying in tune with him relationally). ● Walk in his power (relying on him to strengthen you). Let’s do this! Let’s declare it! I’m dead to sin! Here I am God! I want to walk with you every day of the rest of my life.
