The 12 Gifts of Christmas
12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.
Gift #6: The GIFT of Freedom!
If you are a disciple of Christ you have been set free.
When Jesus first stood up to speak in a synagogue, He read out of the writings of the prophet Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Isaiah 61:1
To be set free one must admit he or she is being held hostage. Most of us don’t think we are in need of freedom. After all, we would say we live in a free nation.
But Jesus speaks to a captivity that you and I are all too familiar with, if we’re honest with ourselves. This captivity is tormenting. Always trying to be better; to summon the power to overcome, but ending up overcome by the same weaknesses and failures.
And what’s worse is that all of our failures feel like a mountain bearing down on us. A mountain of sin and guilt crushing the life out of us. Our spiritual condition is of a person locked in chains, wasting away in a dark, filithy dungeon, in a deeply isolated place of despair.
This is our state outside of Jesus. Sin and death have power in our life. Real power. And we find ourselves powerless to overcome.
But when we surrender our lives to the King, request His deliverance from the tormentor, live for Him and learn His ways, everything changes!
When we send for Help, the mighty Savior rushes in with an army of angels, light splaying into the dark recesses of our cell. As the heavy iron door is swung open at His command and as your shackles fall away, a strong but calming voice speaks over you, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
Then He transports you to the… your eyes widen as you approach the throne room of the Kingdom of God!
Once there, He prepares a feast and celebration for you. His servants make sure you are well-fed, nurtured, and allowed to enter into a peaceful rest.
Lastly, He recounts that you have been rescued from a death sentence, saying that His Father excitedly decided to adopt you and make you an heir to His Kingdom!
You are FREE to live in peace.
You are FREE to love the Lord and all others.
You are FREE from the power of sin.
You have been set FREE from the power of the Devil and Death.
You are FREE to serve the One who has set you FREE!
After all, Jesus said “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
This is an amazing gift and a wonderful Eternal Promise!
If you find yourself a slave to a tormenting taskmaster, cry out to Jesus for help. Admit your crimes against His Kingdom and He will pardon you, and grant you freedom and peace to live safely in His presence forever.
And thank Jesus for purchasing your freedom!
With much love in Christ,
Jeff
