Thank God I Am Free!
Today’s Verse:
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ~2 Corinthians 3:17
The other day, we examined the meaning of liberty. This morning, let us see the work of liberty in our lives. Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” I am thankful for the Holy Spirit, Who is the third Person of the Godhead. He is co-equal, co-eternal, co-existent, and co-essential with the Father and the Son. It is critically important that the presence of the Spirit of the Lord is present in four critical areas.
The Spirit gives us liberty from sin.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). In the work of salvation, the Holy Spirit is the supreme Agent Who does the saving. He brings about our New Birth and the change in our life. As such, He liberates us from the bondage of sin. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). When the Holy Spirit seals us, He makes it very clear that we are God’s purchased possession and no longer under the condemnation of sin. Thank God I am free!
The Spirit gives us liberty in our supplications.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). The Spirit of God helps our infirmities when we pray. These infirmities include not knowing what and how to pray. He strengthens us to pray for great lengths of time. He gives us liberty to pray in faith and in boldness for things that seem impossible. With our limited vocabulary, He articulates to our Heavenly Father what the desire of our heart is. When the Spirit of God gives liberty, we can pray for great and mighty things we know not of.
The Spirit gives us liberty in our soulwinning.
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Many times, we will feel a sense of intimidation or weakness when it comes to witnessing to people. Philip saw the Ethiopian dignitary standing in his chariot, reading a scroll that contained Isaiah 53. Philip needed a prompting from the Holy Spirit to step forward and help this man understand the Bible so that he could get saved. In Acts 18:5, we see the Holy Spirit doing the same thing in Paul. “Paul was pressed in the spirit….” This was the Holy Spirit convicting him to preach. This liberty enables us to explain the gospel in boldness and with conviction. We have an audience with someone who might otherwise shut us down. Instead, the Holy Spirit speaks through us and gives us holy boldness to speak.
The Spirit gives us liberty in our services.
As we read through the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is actively at work in the church services. Liberty of the Holy Spirit in the church produces preaching that is uninhibited, praying that is powerful, love that is generous and has no boundaries, recurring salvation decisions, victory over sin, and a sustainable spirit of revival. When the Holy Spirit has liberty in the church, men are called to preach and to the mission field, boldness for the gospel is present, generous giving occurs, and Satan’s power is bound.
Yes, the liberty of the Holy Spirit makes us free and does a work through us that glorifies the Lord. Let the liberty of the Holy Spirit prevail in your life today!
Have a Spirit-enabled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 133-139