Yesterday was Memorial Day for the United States. It’s the day we remember those who lost their lives in active military service. They fought for American freedom. Soldiers, today, still fight for freedom. It is a never-ending process.
Jesus, also fought for freedom, the freedom from the enslavement to sin. It, too, is a never-ending process. A day is coming when God will say, “Enough,” and He sends His Son back to earth a second time. The first time is known as Christmas. Jesus came to become the Lamb that saves people from their sins. Thirty-three years later, God’s plan of redemption became reality. We know this as Easter. The second time is to bring judgment upon the whole earth for sin. Jesus will be sentencing the devil to his rightful place. All his demons and anyone rejecting the Lordship of Jesus Christ will follow.
Freedom comes with a hefty price. Death must occur for it to continue flourishing. For Jesus, and many soldiers, as well as every believer who follows Jesus, death in something must occur. For every believer, it is death to self. It’s a never-ending process of sanctification that God must put every repentant heart through so you become worthy of heaven.
The death of sinful ways brings forth a righteous, a faithfulness, a holiness, a peacefulness like nothing you could ever find on this earth. And even if you could find it, it would be a wimpy substitute unable to lead you into the freedom your heart is yearning for. You would fall short of God in the process. Read Isaiah 25 and 26 and see what freedom looks like for every repentant man and woman who desires more.
Freedom has standards that one must follow. In these two chapters of Isaiah, you read about God’s standards. A humbling must take place within every believer’s heart; see 25:1-5. Think of your life as a city or a palace. What does God do for you? When you receive Christ into your heart, God gives you a desire to change from your old ways and learn His ways. God steps in; see 25:6-8. What does God for you? Next, you learn about what salvation looks like; see 25:9-12. What does God do for you?
“He will end their pride and all their evil works.”11b
Chapter 26 describes who you become when you allow Jesus to direct your life. How can you reflect this chapter each and every day? What is God doing for you right now?
Like Memorial Day yesterday, it is good to remember what Jesus did for you to give you freedom. It is vital to remember every day that God is working in you to help you become His soldier. All believers are fighting moment-by-moment everyday for the Gospel. We never stop! We never stop until Jesus returns to put evil in its place.
As we battle, we live out the truths given to us by the Holy Spirit. We follow orders and obey. We believe boldly that the Spirit’s leading is spot-on, fitting for the moment with impeccable precision. There is no time to be distracted, the battle is fierce for the cost of redemption is high.
Follow Jesus boldly and praise the name of the Holy One. “But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on Your people in the place of the dead!”19
(A reminder: I am taking a bit of break for the next eight weeks. Enjoying my children and helping a friend. I may write once a week, twice a week, or like next week, take the week off as I travel. The Holy Spirit will lead me in writing. Follow me on Instagram at @caroljgerman where I post almost daily.)
Carol J German 