“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.
And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!” Ephesians 1:7-8
(The Message)
Imagine walking out of prison. What would it be like to be rid of a cell’s narrow confinement? How would it feel to leave someone else’s schedule behind? No more being told when to eat, when to talk, when to sleep. Freedom would feel strange and unfamiliar. A former prisoner might have a hard time accepting that they were really free. She might wonder, “Where are the guards? Who will tell me where to go? When to eat? What to do? Am I really free? How free am I?”
For a myriad of reasons Christians often find it difficult to believe we are truly free. We know ourselves. We know our sinful tendencies. We have experienced repeated failures. How is it possible that God looks upon us through the blood spilled by Christ on the cross and declares us free? But that is what we are a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!
The Apostle Paul triumphantly declares to the Roman Christians, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1) There it is again! We are free!
The released prisoner has the choice to continue living as though prison walls surround her or to walk with head held high, believing that the punishment has been paid. For us—released and redeemed—we walk with joy and gratitude that God’s love and grace has declared us not barely free, but abundantly free.
Thank you Father that Jesus’ sacrifice did not just lessen my sentence, but rather His work sets me fully free. Help me to live in that freedom. Amen
Question: In what areas of your life do need to be set free?
By Marilyn Ehle
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