The Meaning of
Freedom
By Tracy Smith
“Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
We know where the Spirit of the Lord
is
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is liberty
We know living in your freedom
living in your freedom, we see your
glory
We know where the Spirit of the Lord
is
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is liberty. [2]
Here it is Memorial Day … and as the July 4th holiday
is next, I find myself thinking about the word freedom and what is means. The
Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary lists many meanings, but this is the one that
caught my eye, “c : the quality or state of being
exempt or released, usually from something onerous.” [1]
In relation to our country, our forefathers wanted to be
released from the constraints England was forcing upon us as one of their
colonies. These men saw belonging to England as something onerous and something
they needed to be free from. Because of this belief, they took the necessary
and hard step to declare war and fight for their freedom. Due to this strength
and bravery, the United States celebrates July 4th as our Independence
Day.
In relation to our spiritual life, the above definition of
freedom also applies. We all have something in our life that weighs us down and
robs us of our freedom. Galatians 5:1 (The Message, paraphrase)
says, “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never
again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Jesus Christ took
the necessary and hard step to die for our sins and to set us free.
Today, as we remember those who have given their lives so we can
stay free and as we look forward to celebrating our nation’s independence, let
us be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States…and the freedoms
we enjoy as a child of God!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Will you spend some time in prayer today thanking
Him for the freedom we have in Him?
2. If you know a member of the military, will you
thank them for the sacrifices they make to keep our country free?
FURTHER READING:
Along with being a wife and mother
to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a
great group of Junior High girls.
[2] Tomlin, Chris. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is.” Passion:
Awakening, Six Step Records, 2010.
