Day 29 You Are Free Indeed
John 8:36 (Amplified Bible)
36So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
Years ago, I had this “day dream.” I know that God was giving me a picture of true and lasting freedom. I am going tell this story in hopes that you can “see” what I saw that day.
It was 5:00 in the afternoon and I was fixing dinner in my kitchen. Our children were little and were playing around my feet as I worked. My husband was not home yet.
There was a knock at the door and two policemen entered our kitchen and read me my rights and arrested me. In front of my children, they put handcuffs on me and proceeded to take me downtown. I am all the while screaming, “What did I do? What did I do?” Our children were screaming for their momma as we pulled away in the squad car.
I was booked in the county jail still not knowing what I had done and I still had my apron on from cooking dinner.
They escorted me to the dark, cold basement and put me in a jail cell, slammed the door and left me.
I was scared and alone and very, very cold in that dark and damp basement. I huddled in the corner in hopes that I could find some warmth.
After a long while, light and warmth entered that dark basement. It was Someone who had keys to my jail cell. He walked over, unlocked the door and then proceeded to leave the basement. My prison door stood open wide.
I remember sitting in the corner a long time, thinking I must have done something bad and I must pay for what I had done even though I didn’t know what that was.
Finally after a long while of sitting there, shivering and cold, I began to look around, thinking that it was very strange that no one was there and the door was wide open. It took me a long time but I edged over to the open cell door. I got up my nerve and looked both ways. Still no one!
I edged out the door fully expecting that someone would grab me and throw me back into the cell. With no one around, I edged down the hallway, my back up against the wall to be as invisible as possible. In front of me was a set of about seven stairs that led to a landing. At the top of the landing was a solid steel door that led outdoors.
I slowly---very slowly—edged up each stair until I finally reached the landing. There was a small window in the door so I took a peek. The sun was shining out there which made me desire that warmth on my shivering body. I looked and there were lots of people laughing and dancing in the sunlight. They acted like they didn’t have a care in the world.
I got up enough nerve to push the heavy steel door open and I edged out onto the step and into the bushes by the building. The sun began to warm me and I enjoyed watching the others have such a good time together.
Eventually I came out behind the shrub. Immediately the others drew me into the dance. The more I danced, the more joy I had. To my amazement no one came to get me. Perhaps I really could be free!
This story is a picture of Jesus did for each of us. We all started out guilty. Jesus went to the Cross and took our guilt and our sin. He had the keys in His possession and His death set us all free from guilt. Can you even imagine?
Yet, we sit in our jail cell even when the door stands open. We blame ourselves, thinking we must pay when He already paid for us. All we have to do is walk out. We are free!! We’ve been set free!! All we have to do is walk out!
When we say, “I am sorry Lord, that I have not lived for You,” He forgives us and wipes the slate clean for us. Then He helps us live for Him each and every day as we rely on Him.
It’s time to come out and go free!!
Today’s Assignment:
1. If you have never opened your heart to the love of Jesus Christ, go to Day 13 and 14 and at the end of the blog, there are scriptures that will lead you into the arms of God .
2. Read John 8: 32 in The Message
Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
Going back to my story…..we have been set free to dance!! Free to rejoice!! Free to laugh!! Free to enjoy fellowship with others!! Free!! Free!! Free!! We are unquestionably free!!
Prayer:
Father, thank You so much for sending Jesus to the Cross for me, that I might be totally and unquestionably free. Father, help me to remember that and help me to live free so I can lead others into freedom. Thank You, Lord! Amen.
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