Hello everyone!! I have been away for the month of June, on a journey of alignment and growth. I committed my June to be a month of prayer and fasting, doing this alongside the members of my church. And I think what I didn’t quite realise is how much sacrifice was due to come about, that month. Relating closely with sacrifice, I believe freedom is an acceptable topic for me to focus on, for this first post back.

As I mentioned, above, I didn’t realise how much sacrifice I would need to give during the month of June (which might sound a bit silly given the fact that I was literally fasting and praying) but believe it or not, it was a shock to me. I found myself thinking that others (unbelievers and actually some other believers) had it much easier than I did! To not feel strong convictions in certain areas, to not feel obliged to do things. I thought that they had so much freedom to simply do whatever they like, and even reaching a point where I wouldn’t have minded being ignorant. But something that had struck me recently was this - when people act irrationally or in an aggressive manner, what is it they’ve fallen victim to? What is it they’ve given into? It’s always going to be the same answer, and that is, their flesh. My outlook suddenly changed - what is one to do when they do not know God? What is powerful enough for them to say no to their flesh, that would help them through this? There is nothing. As we once did, they remain a slave to their flesh. This is not to boast, nor is it to say we are better than them. We are better off. And I think sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of this. I definitely know that as a young person, I have times where the freedom to club, wear whatever, have no moral responsibility seems ohh so appealing. But I’m brought back to this reality where actually, we can fight the urge to be gluttonous (exercise self-discipline), get angry at every little thing, and the desire to be lazy. These are real treasures. Realise today that these are attributes you will care about tomorrow. So please be careful! Let’s look at some scriptures, passages and truths to help us understand more about this.

LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE

In the Bible, I feel that freedom and salvation are quite closely linked, so really, we can’t talk about freedom without talking about our Saviour, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died for us, we became new creatures. Galatians 2:19-20 says “19 For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” This verse tells us the exact effect Christs’ sacrifice had on us. Through this final sacrifice, orchestrated by God our Father, we have left behind a life of slavery to sin, and entered into a new covenant, and when we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour, we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 says, “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” The Holy Spirit, described here as a Helper, through His inner workings, refines us to be beings who look more and more like Jesus every day. This is made possible through what 2 Corinthians 3:17 outlines: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  By God’s mercy on us, we have been put in a position to receive the Spirit, made available to us by a new covenant, established by Christ’s death. We can now accept freedom! Remedies of the world, distractions of the world, they are all like putting a plaster (band aid) on a deeply infected knife wound; the bleeding may stop, but the problem remains. With this new freedom, we are enabled to make decisions pleasing to our Father, and ones that will help us in the long run.

 As a people who have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:19-20) and die daily, we are empowered to overcome. We have the literal resurrection power within us. I often forget, but that is the truth. The power that raised Jesus to life is operating within us - how crazy is that. I speak to myself when I say this: when we see this as truth, you start to realise that being susceptible to sin or temptation seems like an ill-informed decision to make. Why would you pick fear over freedom? Or angst over ease? Never feel as though you are at the mercy of your problems. There are still things that I need to stop choosing, like fear, angst, even picking at my fingers (terrible habit at the moment) so please don’t feel discouraged if you’re feeling bound. You already have the victory, so claim it!

I hope this has made you aware of the Holy Spirit within you, and encouraged you for the week ahead! Let me know in the comments below :)

Lots of Love,

R x