“Freedom isn’t free” has been a motto for many military units. It’s an idiom expressing gratitude for the service of military members who risk their lives for others. It reminds us the path to liberty isn’t free. It proclaims freedom comes at a price. And it derives from love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

America recently celebrated Independence Day. I imagine the shouts of freedom resounded with vigor throughout the new land over two centuries ago. But it resulted at a great price.

Over two thousand years ago, true freedom was presented to all of humanity, but it cost one Man His life. God, our Heavenly Father, because of His great love for mankind, sent His Son to earth to save any sinner* who would believe on the Name of Jesus. While on earth, Christ Jesus taught His followers about God’s truth. He proclaimed His mission before the Jewish leaders in the synagogue:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

Good News. Freedom. Liberty. Comfort. Crowns instead of cinders. Gladness instead of grief. Praise instead of panic. Jesus brought the glory of the Lord to everyone. And we have the freedom to choose….. or not.

To the Jews who chose to believe in Him, He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32

Free. Freedom from the slavery of sin that entangles and snares.* Jesus came to save captives from the trappings of sin.* He said to His followers, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke to His disciples about salvation through His death and resurrection. Though He knew they didn’t fully understand, Jesus told His disciples not to be troubled. As they had believed in God, they were to believe also in Him. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” He proclaimed. John 14:6

Jesus declared Himself the pathway to liberty through redemption in His Name. He came to earth to demonstrate the freedom found in the truth of God’s Word. He professed Himself the way to the Heavenly Father.

When the time came for Him to exchange His righteousness for the sins of the world through death on a cross, He stood before Pilate answering the question of His kingship, proclaiming His mission fulfilled: Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37

TRUTH SPEAKS AND TRUTH HEARS!

Before He died, while gathered with His disciples, Jesus prayed for them and future believers. Jesus prayed for us! Pause for a moment and let these words of Christ fill your heart and become reality:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John 17:20-23 (NIV)

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR PRAYING FOR ME!

Sisters and brothers, Jesus prayed for us. He died for us. His words to His followers are written down for us. They are as relevant today as in the past. When we believe in Jesus Christ and the truth of His Words, we find freedom. We discover His love and grace. We become one in Christ Jesus, united in God’s love.*

Are you captive to earthly pursuits? Do the things of this world have you in a panic? Are you grieving the emptiness of this temporal life?

Open your heart to God’s truth. Allow Christ Jesus to unite you to God’s love. Live in the freedom of God’s grace through Jesus. By accepting salvation in Jesus’ name, you will experience freedom. You will be set free. You will be free indeed.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
*Romans 3:23 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
*Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)

"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 (NIV)

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!"
*Psalm 133:1 (NIV)