Maintaining Freedom

We have freedom in the United States of America. At the same time our troops are fighting in two ongoing wars. They are positioned to defend our freedom in other parts of the world also. That demonstrates the fact that freedom has to be maintained. The same thing is true with our spiritual freedom. We have had freedom handed to us through the work that Jesus Christ has done on the cross. "He whom the Son has set free, is free indeed." Yet, just as our troops are still fighting to keep our freedom in the natural realm, we have to fight to keep our freedom in the spirit too. There are all kinds of things at work trying to entangle us. We can be bound by substances. We can be bound by habits. We can be bound by unhealthy relationships. Even church duties and routines can be binding when they are shifted out of their proper place. Our identity is not tied to a church title, position, or perceived success. Freedom is experienced because of our conscious effort in two specific areas. We are free based upon the nearness of our relationship to Jesus. We are free because of the power of the Holy Spirit. "Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Knowing we should be free and actually experiencing freedom is two different things. Living in freedom must be actively maintained.