If you live in the United States, you probably look forward to the 4th of July as a highlight of the summer. Fireworks and barbecues and time off to be with family and friends, maybe even time boating or at the beach. All this opportunity for fun comes with this national holiday designated for the celebration of our independence and freedom.

But what does it really mean to be free? As Americans, freedom has increasingly come to mean that, as individuals, we are entitled to do what we want, say what we want, and determine our own identity in whatever way we choose to define it. Yet, as Christians, perhaps we need to pause and reflect on the nature of being free as defined by our faith.

In John Chapter 8, Jesus says to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Their response was a bit defensive as they insisted they had never been slaves to anyone because they were descendants of Abraham, thus they were God’s chosen people…as if Jesus was misguided in suggesting that they weren’t free but could be. Jesus explains by saying that “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

What about us? We know that we are all sinners, even though we have each been created in the image of God. Jesus, the incarnate God, has died to make a way for us to be redeemed from our sin because the God who created us also loves us and always wants the best for us, including eternal life in God’s presence. Jesus frees us from sin, thus it is Jesus who can free us!

And being free? According to Jesus, being free comes from knowing the truth according to God, and knowing the truth comes from being disciples of Jesus, and disciples are those who live in Jesus‘ word…and since Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, then being free happens when we live our life in Christ. Contrary to American culture, that means rather than doing what we want, we seek to do what Jesus did…rather than saying what we want, we speak with love and compassion for neighbor knowing that we represent Jesus…rather than determining our own identity in whatever way we choose to define it, we acknowledge that we have been created in the image of God to be an extension of God’s love in the world by identifying as disciples of Jesus that share our self and our gifts to further the mission of God’s Kingdom of love.

Yeah….easier said than done, right? And yet, when we live this truth, we do have moments of being free! Free to be what God created us to be instead of being what the world pressures us to be. It takes me back to Luke 4:1-12 which the Spiritual Wellness Community was focused on during June…Satan uses God’s Word to tempt Jesus, the Word made Flesh, to take shortcuts that will better serve himself according to the world’s standards. But Jesus holds fast to the truth and he remains free. This is true freedom.

I pray that during this month in which Americans celebrate their freedom, you will take time reflect on your own freedom in Christ….pray about what being free means for you, thank God for the truth that makes you free in Jesus Christ, and commit to seeking true freedom through faith in Jesus….for if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

OTHER NOTES:

Spiritual Wellness Community Membership

July topic: Loving Jesus (loving God)

Book: Loving Jesus by Mark Allan Powell

Scripture: “Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”’”

Any women interested in joining can join for July and get the first month free at angelstringsministry.com

Holy Yoga

I continue to post Holy Yoga 7 classes in the On Demand section of angelstringsministry.com. Each class includes 7 postures (sometimes repeated), prayer, scripture, breath work and some meditation time. All Holy Yoga is included in the Spiritual Wellness Community Membership, or can be purchased for nonmembers by donation.

Individual Sessions

Private sessions are always available to be scheduled for Individual Spiritual Direction, Harp Therapy and even Holy Yoga. In each case, the session is geared toward your personal needs and allows us to go more in depth that what can be accomplished in the membership. Schedule your session today at angelstringsministry.com by clicking on Offerings at the top.

Have a beautiful summer full of grace and peace,

Julie Parsell

Spiritual Wellness Guide