Free Indeed

Romans 6:4-11 (NLT)

4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Free(adj) not bound, confined, or detained by force, without restraint, inhibition, or cost; possessing the rights of citizenship. All over the world today, there are men and women who live in societies where they experience far less freedom than I have here in middle Tennessee in the United States of America. Freedom comes in varying degrees, so does bondage. For some the penalty of bondage is so severe it will eventually cost them their lives. There are those bound by disease, slavery, poverty, dictatorship, false religion and mistreatment of all kinds. Many are considered less fortunate. I thank God that in Christ, we are all equal. My sister on the other side of the world or in the next state over who is being sold as a sex slave can know the same freedom in Christ that I know. It is the same for the man dying of AIDS in Africa or the family stricken by famine. For all of us in Christ, there is freedom. The Word of God is just as powerful for them as it is for me. We can learn from each other to focus on eternal freedom and not fear the suffering we face here on earth. Those of us who have more can strive to make things better for those who have less. In my country today we will celebrate our independence. I suggest that all over the world, we should celebrate the privilege of being dependent on Jesus. The world's perspective of freedom will always be challenged. In Christ, freedom is guaranteed! If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!