"the land of the free?"
"You have been called to live in freedom." —Galatians 5:13<br>"It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!" —Galatians 5:1
After we make the ultimate decision to convert, we spend all our time with the Lord and all our lives for Him. Then we get to know the Lord personally, and it doesn't take us long to realize that the Lord is preoccupied with our freedom. We should expect this because Jesus' mission is to set the captives free (Lk 4:18). He died on the cross to free us from our sins, and He rose from the dead to free us from Satan, the prince of death (see Heb 2:14). Only if Jesus frees us are we truly free (Jn 8:36). Jesus is our Redeemer, Who has done everything necessary to free us.
Therefore, Jesus insists that we be free from unforgiveness, fear, self-hatred, and addictions to everything from alcohol to TV, types of food, gambling, pornography, cigarettes, caffeine, etc.
God the Father through Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to give us desires in opposition to our fallen, addicted nature (Gal 5:17). By living our baptisms, that is, our lives in the Spirit, we will be free.
Prayer: Father, even in this land of the enslaved which calls itself "the land of the free," may I be free in You.
Promise: "Jesus answered him, 'Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.' " —Lk 9:62
Praise: Praise Jesus, our Redeemer, Passover (1 Cor 5:7), and risen Savior!
Reference: (Be set free through the Bible. For encouragement to read the Bible daily, order any or all of these tapes: How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, December 13, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 2003