"the land of the free?"
"You have been called to live in freedom." —Galatians 5:13
"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, electronic devices, types of food, gambling, pornography, cigarettes, caffeine, drugs, 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, free me from the culture of death. May I be always 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 the risen Jesus, "the First-Born of the dead" (Col 1:18).
Reference: (For a related teaching on Risen Life, order, view, or download our leaflet or order, listen to, or download CD 4A and CD 4B or DVD 4A on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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