Surrender and be Free
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
True freedom only comes from God who frees us from slavery to the sinful world. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 2:1-2) We are either free in Christ or we are slaves to the ruler of the air (Satan). I thought I was living free in this world until Christ set me free. Looking back, I realize I was a slave to the world.
Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) Overcoming the world through the power of Christ is an ongoing process. We overcome our slavery to the sinful ways of the world more each day as we spiritually grow. Every time we knowingly sin, we pray for forgiveness and we pray for divine power to overcome the sin. Praying to overcome reveals our Godly sorrow.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) As our minds renew to the ways of God, we progress having freedom in Christ. Therefore, we can look forward to growth in freedom as we develop a closer relationship with our Lord. This is a powerful blessing! The closer relationship we have the Lord, the better and more fulfilling life becomes.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15) These are the words Jesus spoke to his apostles and he is speaking them to us. The greatest and most fulfilling thing on earth is being a servant of our sovereign Lord, and he calls us friends. We become like-minded with Christ and our love motivates us to minister to the world like Jesus, and we are free in Christ.
Today, be free in Christ and when the world tries to control you, depend on Christ to guide you through the Spirit. If the world makes you angry or fearful, call on the Lord for his comfort and guidance to overcome. We can overcome anything through the power of God, if we ask.
Prayer: Lord, guide me to surrender to your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Let your love give me courage to minister to the world and let your love motivate me to serve you. Lord, I pray that I will surrender my prideful will for your divine loving will. In Jesus’ name, Amen