Let Freedom Ring!

Leviticus 25:10 (NLT)

Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan.

Independence Day is a celebration of this country’s freedom that was bought with the blood and brave service of many men and women throughout the years. It is a time of get-togethers and outings. The beaches are filled with thankful Americans and the barbeques a blazing. It is a time of fun and fellowship in the warm air of summer. Red, white and blue flags adorn flagpoles, houses, and clothing. Hotdogs, hamburgers topped with apple pie and homemade ice cream are on just about every menu. Evenings are filled with sparklers and fireworks as the “oohs” and “ahhs” of onlookers anticipating the next display fill the night air. This is America. It is a time to let freedom ring!

In the Old Testament, the Children of God celebrated freedom a little differently than today’s Christian Americans do. Freedom was attained in the Year of Jubilee. The ram’s horn would blow to mark Jubilee and two great events would take place. All Hebrew slaves were set free. All land was returned to its original owner. What a year of rejoicing for those who were set free it must have been. I can only imagine what it would be like if at the sound of the horn all God’s Children experienced the freedom of salvation and everything immediately returned that the devil has stolen from them. The trumpet or ram’s horn can be significant in the Bible as a representation of “fulfillment.” On Jubilee, it marked the fulfillment of freedom as captives were free and property returned. It was a time of great celebration. Much like we celebrate America, Old Glory and the freedom to live in this great country, the Israelites had much to rejoice over when it was the Year of Jubilee.

Freedom is an amazing gift. But freedom is useless if it is not exercised. How many prisoners in the penitentiaries would stay in their cell if offered freedom today? Not many! Today’s Christians have the ultimate Jubilee! Jesus Christ conquered death and the grave. There would be no waiting period for freedom! It can be yours today! On this 4^th of July, are you living in the freedom that is yours through a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ! Are you free from worry and anguish? Are you unhindered by guilt and despair? Are you rescued from the trap of depression? It is God’s heart that His Children live in absolute freedom from all these hindrances and so much more!

Here are a few tips on how to proclaim the Lord’s Freedom in your life today! Captives who are freed have a new opportunity to make better choices. It is a freedom declaration when your new choices are successful and the same poor judgment does not overtake you! You are free to not move back to old ways of thinking. The Lord does not take prisoners, He captivates His Children instead. Freedom means never having to accept insults or rejection and choosing not to be offended by others. Forgiveness frees the imprisoned heart and allows more love to flow in and out unhindered by hurt and anger. Jubilee marked an age of family reunions. It brought friends and families back together no matter what tore them apart. God’s freedom is on full display when God’s Children forgive each other and allow the sweet balm of reconciliation to heal wounded families. Godly freedom never hinders through grudging attitudes toward another but allows us to show others the doorway to the freedom we enjoy!

Galatians 5:1 (Message)

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

You are free today! Rejoice in that freedom and protect your freedom! If you feel the weight of bondage today, it must leave you in the Name of Jesus Christ! Shackles will fall from you today! The doors that have been closed to you will be open in the Name of the Lord! You are free! No one has the right to imprison a Child of the Living God and it is totally up to you whether sin is allowed to enslave you! Today is your day to live a holy life that proclaims all the freedom that Christ died for! Go for it! Let freedom ring!