2 Corinthians 3:17 New International Version
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Paul writes where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. This freedom Paul speaks of is the freedom that is only found when we come into right relationship with Jesus Christ. When the body of Christ comes together, the person and work of the Holy Spirit is present to change and transforms lives.
We are enslaved by Satan and the sinful desires that rage within us before coming to Christ. Before we come to Christ, we truly believe that we will be satisfied if we just obtain that which the enemy puts in front of us that we are chasing. But we fail to see and understand that if we do obtain that which we are chasing that it will actually destroy us. Before Christ we are enslaved to the devil. He has authority over our lives. We are mere puppets to be used by him to cause as much destruction as possible.
But when we come to Christ everything changes. When God in His mercy opens our eyes by granting us repentance, we come into right relationship with the Living God, the chains that once held us in bondage have been broken, and we are born again. We are adopted into God’s family and our father and master is no longer the devil, our Father and Master now becomes God Almighty. Jesus came to give life and give abundantly and the way He does this is by taking on the wrath and punishment we rightly deserve.
Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. This not only impacts the body of Christ when we come together corporately but also the individual believer on a daily basis. We may be a person who struggles with sins of all kinds. Addiction may be ruling and destroying our lives, but in Christ we are a brand-new creation. In Christ we are set free. In Christ we have true freedom. If we truly desire to be free it begins with knowing and walking with Jesus. As we are abiding in Him on a daily basis, His very life is produced within us. The freedom that is found in Him alone becomes a reality in our lives.
Today may we use the freedom we have in Christ to glorify and magnify His name. May it not be used to indulge the sinful nature. May we truly understand that we are children of the Most High God and our sole purpose when we are in Christ is to magnify and glorify Him through everything. May all things be in His hands and may we live in a place of continually thanksgiving. For wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. If a person be in Christ, the Spirit of God lives within them. May our desire be to be filled with the Spirit daily in a greater way.
Prayer
Father move in my life according to your will. Have your way in my heart and mind. Help me to fully understand the freedom I have in you. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for choosing and calling me. Thank you that you have created me with a specific plan and purpose. Fill me daily with your Spirit. May all that I am be fully surrendered to your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Reflection
1. Is there anything in your life that needs to be surrendered today?
2. Are you truly walking in the freedom that is available to you in Jesus?
3. If you are not walking in freedom, what is holding you back?
4. Do you find yourself often focusing on the past and things that you cannot change?
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