The Price of Freedom

by: Ann Stewart

Isn't it wonderful to be free? Are you free; truly free? What is true freedom anyway? Is it the freedom to choose a mate, religion, profession or lifestyle? If you're privileged to enjoy all of them, can you honestly say that you feel free? Are you free from stress, abuse, self condemnation and unforgiveness? The Israelites had been slaves for centuries. They had forgotten what it was to be free like patriarch, Abraham and have the privileges of Joseph, who had the highest honor under Pharaoh. Once they were set free and saw all the miracles, they went back to the old attitudes and lifestyles they had been used to. They did not know how to handle freedom except by complaining about what they did not have. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in order to keep them from completely turning away from God. They had to live by every precept of the law, from circumcision to sacrifices, and what to eat and how to prepare their food. As long as they obeyed the law, they were be blessed. If they did not, they were cursed! (Deut. 28) But, that was not God's best! He wants you to walk in the freedom of Abraham, in childlike faith. Abraham was not under any law. He knew God and was steadfast in faith until one day he wavered. He decided to give God a hand in bringing his promised son to birth. Not walking in faith has consequences. God was not pleased. He had promised them a son, and it would not need to make sense. It just required simple, childlike faith! If God said it; then it would come to pass! Abraham's two sons are representative of the two covenants: Ishmael, the Law of Moses; and Isaac, the New Covenant. The Law was a curse as it required doing works to get God's blessings. Jesus, Abraham's physical and spiritual heir, became that curse by hanging on the cross, the symbol of a curse. (Gal. 4: 22 - 26) He did it so that all nations would have access to true Freedom through the Holy Spirit. (Gal. 3: 13 - 19) Whosoever believes in Him is free indeed. (John 8: 36) Do you realize that you are, like Isaac, the spiritual child of Promise? As long as you think and live according to the flesh, you are in bondage to the things of the world. Once you come to the realization that you "can do all things through Christ who strengthens you," (Phil. 4: 13) you know you're free! When the flesh is weak, the Spirit will help you soar over your problems! "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. " (Gal. 5: 1) The new Covenant is the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1: 25) Pure religion is to show God's Love to those in distress, (Jas. 2: 27) and do His Will from the heart. (Eph. 6: 6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb. 11: 6) Are you completely free? That is; can you release all your troubles to Him and know without a doubt that what He says in His Word He will do for you? "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come. Buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isa. 55: 1) I pray that you may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, forget the past, and embrace your freedom in Christ. (Phil. 4: 10; 13) 'My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4: 19)

About The Author
Ann Stewart, author of With Wings as Eagles, aims to encourage and inspire you to become the person God has purposed you to be: http://lifealteringwords.com/with-wings-as-eagles. You're welcome to subscribe to her free weekly, inspirational newsletter here: http://lifealteringwords.com.