America is different.
Our country pioneered the concept of freedom and liberty. Our Founding Fathers wanted to set up a government that was unique. Other countries had authoritarian rulers such as kings, queens, or emperors that told their citizens what to do and when to do it. There were strict social classes that were nearly impossible to change. In that society, your destiny was determined by your birth.
When our Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they recognized that a person should be able to make their own choices. People should have the freedom to go where they want and make decisions for themselves-to have the American Dream. Opportunity is the essence of freedom, and our nation has prospered because of it.
While obtaining the American Dream is good, there is a freedom that is better than that political, economic, or social freedom. The greatest freedom that we can have is spiritual freedom. John 8:31-36 says:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Although we as Americans were born in political freedom, we were born in spiritual bondage. We have a sin nature that keeps us from God and dooms us to Hell.
Thankfully, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to break that bondage, offer us true freedom, and provide a home in Heaven for eternity.
Here are 3 steps to finding spiritual freedom:
1. Recognize You’re a Sinner
It is said the first step in overcoming a problem is to recognize you have a problem. In this case, our problem is our sin. Sin has been defined as “any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments.” I have sinned plenty of times. Everyone is a sinner. The Bible confirms this:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
Just as there is a penalty for breaking the law, there is also a penalty for our sin. Because we are sinners, we are separated from God and have to spend eternity in the lake of fire called Hell. Our sin is like the Grand Canyon stretching between us and God and there is no way for us to reach Him on our own. The Bible clearly states the penalty for our sin:
“For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a
In order to understand God’s gift of salvation, we have to admit that we are a sinner.
2. Realize that God Loves You
Our sin is not the end of the story!
God loves us while even though we are sinners. The most widely recognized verse in the Bible, John 3:16, tells us of his love:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God loves us so much, he was willing to give his perfect, sinless Son, Jesus, to die a horrific death on the cross and then rise from the grave three days later to pay sin’s penalty for us. His death and resurrection became the payment for our sin.
“But God commendeth [meaning demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Christ has paid our debt in full. The penalty for our sins has been covered. The question is, will we access that payment?
3. Receive Christ’s Free Gift of Salvation
God is offering this salvation for free. It is a gift. All we have to do is accept it. There is no payment that has to be made. It is not a loan that we need to pay back. It is not a favor that God can cash in. It is a free gift, no strings attached.
God tells us how we can accept this free gift in Romans 10:13:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God wants us to place our trust in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and eternal life. If we stop trusting in ourselves, our good deeds, or our religion, and place our trust in Christ alone, God promises to save us. All that we have to do is ask. It’s as simple as this:
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and that my sin separates me from you. I confess that sin to you and trust in you alone to be my Saviour. I ask that you come into my heart, save me from my sins, and provide an eternal home for me in Heaven. Amen.
That is the most important decision that you can make, and you will never regret it! If you just made that decision or would like more information before making it, please reach out to me on Twitter or send me a message below. I would love to help you in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
May today be the day that you find true freedom in Jesus Christ.
Message Matt
Matthew Brown is a law student at the University of Akron School of Law. He has a passion for religious liberty and constitutional law and a desire to see the nation strengthened through strong Christian churches, Christian families, and Christian individuals. You can connect with him on Twitter at @MattBrown1575.
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