The Wonderful Truth About Freedom in Jesus & Love
The Bible tells us that we can find freedom in Jesus but have you ever wondered what that means and how it feels?
1. What does it really mean to have freedom in Jesus?
The kind of freedom Jesus gives flows out of God’s love…
This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
The Bible tells us, and the Spirit confirms, that God’s love is so complete and unconditional He gave Jesus to suffer the punishment for our sins. He graciously and mercifully sets us free from the eternal penalty and present power of sin when we repent and place our faith and hope in Jesus.
Once we have freedom in Jesus, we freely trust and obey by loving God and our “neighbor” unselfishly.
2. What does it look like to have freedom in Jesus?
Jesus gives us freedom that expresses itself through love…
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.
Galatians 5:13 (MSG)
The freedom Jesus gives is not self-righteous obedience to a list of rules or membership at the perfect church. It is realizing that we are so abundantly forgiven and loved by God that we show our love for Him by loving and serving one another.
3. How does freedom in Jesus feel?
Freedom in Jesus feels like love, comfort, peace, and hope…
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17
Although our human nature will continue to struggle with pride and selfishness, the Spirit reminds us that our freedom in Jesus comes with peace and hope KNOWing we are loved and forgiven.
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:7–9
That is what it means, how it looks and feels to be free in Jesus.
By God’s grace through Christ Jesus, we have been set free to love and be loved now and forever.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer Thanking God for Freedom in Jesus
Father God, thank you so much for Jesus who set us free and showed us Your love. He gave up the glory and freedom of heaven to live with people who were bound by the consequences of sin and death.
To set us free, He suffered and died in our place. And then to demonstrate the power of Your love, He rose to life and ascended to the glory of heaven. It is love that sets us free!
Through the love of Christ Jesus, I can KNOW, SEE, and FEEL love in my own life. Because I have freedom in Jesus, I can live each day loving You and people everywhere. Because of His love, I have the desire and strength to trust and obey You.
Your love is so complete and unconditional that I have everything I need to live a life full of faith, hope, and love. Thank you for this wonderful truth that never fails and lasts forever. Your grace is sufficient. I give myself completely to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Paul wrote…
We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law.
Galatians 5:1 (NCV)
Jesus summed up the Law this way… “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mark 12:30–31)
The Lord freely loved us and sent Jesus to set us free from the power of sin and death making us free to love Him and others.
We’re not free to do whatever we want, we’re free to love as He commands because our loving God knows there is no better way to live.
So, my prayer for you today is found in these words of Paul…
May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:19
God be with you and bless you as you serve Him in the freedom of Jesus.
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Jesus is the answer we all need in our lives, Deb. He will guarantee the freedoms that God has ordained when we trust and obey. Blessings!
Deb—You are such a blessing to me, and I’m sure—so many others. In my gratitude for your many encouragements, I want you to know that I regularly pray for you. Although we’ve never met, I think of you as a dear friend and sister in Christ. I appreciate your mentoring through the words you send through your emails. I have shared many of your insights with my friends. Have you ever considered publishing a collection of all your ‘Counting My Blessings’ writings that you send in the emails? I know I can access them on your website, but a physical book would be a great resource. I would absolutely, without hesitation, buy several copies to give as encouraging gifts to others. I am certain that there are many other people, who have been blessed by your ministry, that would feel the same way.
Deb, what a wonderful post! Jesus is the only true love that we can surely count on. Thank you again for your wonderful wisdom. Blessings to you, my friend.