I remember when I got my driver’s license and drove for the first time all by myself. I found myself laughing and experiencing this feeling of excitement. There was no one in the passenger seat, there was no one telling me to slow down or to make sure I used my blinker. I felt this amazing feeling of freedom.
Freedom is such a wonderful thing and yet so many of us fail to experience it the way God intended us to. Paul talks about this freedom we have as believers in Romans 8:1-2 when he says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
This passage speaks to the heart of our faith. It reminds us that we are no longer under condemnation if we have a relationship with Jesus. The weight of our sins and the pending judgment we once faced have been lifted. And this freedom is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that God wants us to experience in our life.
“The law of the Spirit who gives us life has set us free from the law of sin and death.” This means that, through Jesus, we can experience freedom from sin and death. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live in a way that honors God: where we live completely free from the bondage that once had its grip on us.
The truth is…it’s easy to feel burdened by past mistakes, by our ongoing struggles, and the numerous pressures of this world. However, the freedom that Jesus offers assures us that we are not defined by our failures. Instead, we are defined by His grace and love.
And to live in this freedom means that we must embrace His amazing grace. We must let go of the guilt and shame that so easily entangles us. We must give our failures and struggles to Him.
1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So, what’s stopping us from confessing our sins? What’s keeping us from experiencing His forgiveness? When we fail or mess up, are we turning TO Jesus or are we turning AWAY from Him?
Jesus came to forgive us and we can’t let our shame and guilt keep us from turning to Him. He came to set us free and He wants us to be people who learn to walk in that freedom.
Heavenly Father: When we fail, help us immediately turn to You. Help us confess our sins so that we can be forgiven and walk in Your freedom and righteousness. -Amen
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