Freedom is something we are all searching for. I get that with us living in the United States of America we are “free”. We are free to do so many things that many other countries are not free to do. We are free to practice whatever religion we want, free to vote for our government officials, we have freedom of speech. I don’t take that lightly, as I know we have men and women who have chosen to fight for that freedom, to the point of death, even.

However, many of us are not free. We are in bondage to one thing or another-allowing that thing-whatever it may be to bind us in chains. Whether it be self-image, addiction, work, self-destructive thoughts, people pleasing-the list can go on and on of the things we allow to hold us hostage. We also try to find ways to set ourselves free from these things-often unsuccessfully. Sure, they might work for a short time-but there is only One who can truly set us free.

Paul speaks to this freedom in Galatians. Paul, who was Saul, knew all too well what it looked like to be in bondage. He was once a murderer of Christ followers. He believed what he was doing was righteous, that it went along with the law he knew by heart. His eyes were opened after he was called to follow Jesus himself.

Then a little further down in the same book he goes on to talk more about this freedom. He talks about the things that hold us in that yoke of slavery and the One who can set us free. He speaks about the virtues that we will have in living a life of following Christ.

There are some very obvious sins in that list of sinful desires, but we don’t often think of the “lesser” sins in that list as that bad-jealousy, selfish ambition-but if we want to be free from the sinful nature we have to recognize that any of those are not Spirit led behaviors. We are living in this world-so we will have a battle on a daily basis of which one we follow-our flesh or the Spirit. We have to wake up each morning and decide if we want to be free indeed. If you are a Christ follower it is a conscious choice you have to make each day. Wake up and pray-”Spirit lead me in the way you want me to go. Help me to love others better, guide my steps today. Help me to walk away from my evil desires and walk in step with you to produce Your good fruit. Help me to be loving, joyful, full of peace, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and to have self-control. I trust You and I am thankful you are guiding my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Make this prayer your own-it doesn’t have to be my words. If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus, don’t wait any longer!

This week is Easter. Jesus went on a journey for all of us. A journey to free us from our life of sin. This journey wasn’t an easy one. He was beaten and bruised, bleeding-and was nailed to a cross. He died a sinner’s death (even though He is the only one who never sinned) to FREE us from that life. We were destined to die-but He died in our place. For our freedom. The good news is-He didn’t stay on the cross, or in the grave. He rose 3 days later, so we could ultimately rise with Him. Friends, He made the ultimate sacrifice for us because of His great love for us. Will you walk away from your life of bondage into the freedom He so willingly gave for us? Take that step toward Him today. If you aren’t sure on your next steps in freedom, reach out to me, one of our ministers at Victory (or your local church), or a trusted Christian brother or sister. Life won’t be perfect, but I promise it will be better walking in step with the Spirit.