It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1, New International Version

 

When we become more and more like Jesus, we learn more and more to surrender to Him who loves us without measure. Then we personally experience the freedom Christ has won for us. Freedom from the law and self-effort to achieve salvation. Freedom to live by His Spirit and not our sinful desires.

This freedom is not just freedom from guilt, shame and trying too hard, but in order to make us change agents to free the wounded and hurting as well as the wounders and the hurtful. In other words, we are called to be a blessing and through our efforts to bless others something of the presence and power of the kingdom is seen.

It is obvious that we benefit from the freedom Jesus gives. But knowing is more than appreciating what God has given us. Knowing involves aligning our will towards God’s will so that we hear and act in accordance with God’s way.

There is nothing so powerful as a Christian who walks in freedom and acts in freedom. Receiving the grace of freedom gives us the endurance and strength in our struggle against the flesh and sin and temptation and spiritual enemies. This however does not happen at once. That is why we are called to live a life of discipleship where we grow into maturity in Christ.

When we begin to live as we ought to and manifest the life of Christ in our words and actions and lifestyle choices, we are demonstrating to others the peace, joy, and righteousness of God's kingdom (Romans 14:17). Then people will realise that God does not just care for the church, but also for the world. And we do not just proclaim the gospel, but we also care for the earth and wrought justice in our divided world. In this way, individual lives and communities are blessed and enriched because we are stepping into and expressing our true identity in Christ.