You are free!

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV)

Hiroo Onoda, was a Japanese soldier who didn’t know the Japanese had surrendered and that World War II was over, so he hid in the deep jungle and continued fighting it for a full 29 years more! He didn’t have to! In October 1945, he came across a leaflet from the local islanders saying “The war ended August 15th. Come down from the mountains!” But, he didn’t believe it. He decided that it must be Allied propaganda trying to get him to give up.

We marvel and shake our heads at stories like these, but many Christians are doing exactly the same thing! They are continuing to fight a spiritual war that has been fought and won for them by Jesus over 2,000 years ago. The enemy has been completely defeated by what Jesus did for you on the cross! Jesus said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He completely paid for your freedom!

However, the enemy rages on as though the battle has not been won! But, the only “tools” he has left are deception and lies! He is a liar, a deceiver, and a thief, and he continually tells God’s people that they are not free! And, unfortunately it works when people believe his lies! Even though they are free they continually behave like prisoners of sin!

Our promise today says it very clearly, “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!”

What does this “freedom” mean to God’s kids?

Because of what Jesus fought and won for you, you get: (just a short list here, there is actually much more!)

  • Freedom from the Old Testament law

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Rom. 3:28 NIV). And, “Through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39 NASB)

  • Freedom from guilt

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1 NASB)

  • Freedom from condemnation

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1-2 ESV)

  • Freedom to come boldly to God in the time of need

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NKJV)

  • Freedom to call God your father and Jesus your brother

“God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal. 4:4-7 ESV)

  • Freedom from fear and anxiety

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18 ESV). And, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7 KJV). And, “Be anxious for nothing.” (Phil. 4:6 NASB)

  • Freedom from eternal punishment (hell)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV).  And, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23 NASB)

  • Freedom to serve God

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)

  • Freedom to claim and apply all His thousands of promises found throughout the Bible

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:20 NIV)

Therefore…

You are free and victorious! You don’t have to do anything except to continue to stand firm in the truth! 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1 NIV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, free, you are free
Celebrate to the Glory of God!

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 )

This “do all to the glory of God” also includes when you are celebrating!

Today is July 4th and we in the USA celebrate our Independence Day with much fanfare and fireworks

And setting aside time for celebration is good! The Bible is filled with lots of celebrations and much praise to God.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”(Psalms 150:1-6)

Here is what our country’s founders had to say when they were drafting, signing, and defending the Declaration of Independence:

 Samuel Adams, during his signing of the Declaration

“We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.” 

 John Quincy Adams

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” 

 Noah Webster

“The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws…All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” 

 William Penn

“If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him… Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.” 

“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the king of America? I’ll tell you, friend, He reigns above.” (Thomas Paine)

 George Washington

“It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe, without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being.”

 Daniel Webster

 “If truth be not diffused, error will be; If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy, If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.” 

Mike Frenchbible promises, freedom, george washington, july 4, celebration
He has rescued us from darkness!

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14 NIV)

He HAS rescued us from darkness! 

Notice that this promise declares that “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.” It is written in past tense because it is a done deal! It is finished, paid for, and completed! This is a bold promise!

Because of this…

You no longer are a part of the old covenant system of being separated from God by a wall of sin and darkness! (Matt. 27:51) You are now a member of “the kingdom of the Son He loves!” You have been redeemed and have been given total “forgiveness of sins.” You can now come boldly to God at any moment to instantly find mercy and grace in the time of need!

Therefore…

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8 NIV)

“Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, darkness, rescued from darkness, light, children of light
God's Word lights your path!

“The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23 KJV)

God’s personal guidance 

One of the great benefits of being connected to God is the personal guidance you can expect to receive from Him. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

His Holy Spirit guides you into all truth

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NIV)

His Spirit reminds you of His Words 

As we read and study Scriptures, and it gets into our minds, the Holy Spirit brings appropriate Scriptures back to our remembrance at just the right moment to bring needed comfort, guidance and truth into every situation as needed.  

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV). 

 God’s Word brings light to your path 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

Therefore…

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23 ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV) 

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, lamp, light, path, god’s word
We are Christ's Ambassadors!

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor: 5:20 NIV)

We are aliens in a foreign land! 

Ambassadors, by definition, represent their home country while working and living in the country to which they’ve been appointed. It’s the same way for Christians who are God’s ambassadors here on earth! Our real home is in heaven and we are like aliens who are visitors in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11).

When people see you, who do they see?

Sure, they see the physical you, that’s true, but did you know that as Christ’s ambassadors, when they see you, they should also see Jesus? Our promise of the day says it very clearly, that “we are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” Another verse puts it this way, “as he is in the world, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17 ESV).

How do you do this ambassador job correctly?

You allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and do His transforming work within you! When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, “spiritual fruit” is produced, and that is what people will notice! 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23 ESV). 

When people see these things in you, they will be seeing the character of Christ because He is all of these things!

Therefore…

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1-3 ESV)

Mike French
You will reap if you don't give up!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

If you do not give up! on doing good!

This is an important promise to hold on to! I have found personally, that the road to practically any kind of positive achievement is usually found “uphill” and it is important to learn how to be a good “climber” so to speak.”.

Unfortunately, many don’t persevere and give up out of discouragement, when the going is slow or gets tough. Dale Carnegie, author of “How to win friends and influence people”, said, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” He was so correct! And, the really great news is that we as followers of Christ are NOT without hope! We do have the “blessed hope.”

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 KJV). 

We have God’s help available to accomplish anything 

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV).

Don’t quit!

Because, quitters NEVER succeed EVER, and there are countless people who have succeeded by simply keeping on! “In due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Therefore…

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, persevere, you will reap, don’t quit, don’t give up
Your worst day could be your best day

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 ESV)

The “Worst” Day of My Life?

It was the winter of 1967 and I was living in Sitka Alaska and working at a grocery store. One day I was scheduled to work the late shift but the store manager called me into his office and fired me. He accused me of doing something the previous day that I absolutely had not done. But I could not prove my innocence and he angrily ordered me to leave the store. 

I did not see it coming 

In complete shock I headed home to my apartment. When I arrived, I found a bunch of my "friends" there having a party. We never locked our doors in Sitka back then and usually I wouldn’t have cared that they were there, but I wasn’t in a party mood. When I insisted they leave, they got mad, beat me up, and then they threw me outside into the snow. I pulled myself together as best as I could, then went to my landlord who lived nearby and told him about the drunken people at my apartment. I told him they wouldn't leave and had beaten me up. I asked him to help me get them out. But instead of agreeing to help me, he yelled profanities at me and said he was going to call the police. I quickly left the scene because I didn't want to be there when the police arrived.

I didn't know what to do or who to turn to 

It was a bitter-cold Alaska night and I was freezing. I walked to my parent’s house and knocked on their door. My dad answered. I told him I had gotten fired, that there was a drunken party at my place, that my landlord had called the police on me, and that I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I asked to come in and sleep on their couch for the night. But he angrily told me to grow up and take responsibility for my own problems and to go away. He shut the door in my face and turned out the porch light. 

I had no where else to go

I walked along the dark street feeling panic stricken, confused, rejected, and cold. I tried hard to figure out what to do next, but I couldn't think of any answers. I was completely out of options. It was at this point that I decided suicide was my only answer. I had some money in my pocket, I would get drunk first, then end my life!

I went to a bar and began to drink one drink after another. There was a small dance band playing music at the back of the room. During one of their breaks the band leader came to the bar near where I was sitting. As he waited for his drink our eyes met. He smiled and said, "How are you?" I said, "Do you really want to know or are you just saying that?" "He said, “Of course I want to know how you are." "Well," I said, "Today has been the worst day of my life! I lost my job! I got thrown out of my apartment and I was beat up by my friends! Even my own parents won’t let me sleep on their couch. Now I have nowhere to go, so as soon as I finish this drink I am going to end my life!"

Without hesitation he said, "No, please don't do that! My family and I live near here. We have a couch for you. Come and stay with us!"

I did what he said

Even though he had a wife and four small children, he brought me, a total stranger, into his home. His instant kindness kept me from the worse possible outcome. This person and his wife changed the course of my entire life. 

Shortly after going to live with them, he lost the bass player and instantly put me into his band. It seemed like a dream job to me. I had a place to stay. I had wonderful kind people to stay with, and I got to play music. I really loved it. I played music with them for several months while they finished up their contract in Sitka.

Then they decided to move to a town I had never heard of, Lynden, Washington, and they brought me with them! It was in Lynden that I heard about  Jesus Christ and received Him as my personal savior. I also met and married the woman of my dreams, Susan! I also began attending classes at Vancouver Bible College and became the executive director of the local Youth For Christ group. 

As I reflect over the past 

Things could have been very different for me if any of the events of that single “worst day of my life” had been different. 

1. If I had not gotten fired.

2. If my friends had not thrown me out.

3. If my landlord would have helped me.

4. If my parents would have allowed me to sleep on their couch.

5. If Jean Dawkins and I hadn’t gone to the bar at that exact moment.

6. If Jean hadn’t offered to help me. 

In retrospect 

It is easy for me to see, presently, how God had used a visiting bandleader, Jean Dawkins, to be at the right place at exactly the right time, even taking his break at exactly the right moment, to reach out to me and eventually bring me to Lynden, Washington, which was God's plan for me (Acts 17:26). I can plainly see now, how the worst day of my life was really the best day of my life, because God was directing things, even though I didn't know it.

Our God is awesome!

We serve a God we can trust to work out all our circumstances in perfect harmony with His perfect will. (Romans 8:28).

What have I learned?

  1. God is present and at work in our lives, even when it doesn't look like it (Heb. 1:14).

  2. God is able to work out every detail.

  3. With God, all things are possible.

  4. We can trust Him always.

  5. Even though things sometimes look terrible, they are NOT terrible.

  6. Our disappointments are often God's appointments!

  7. We should always praise Him no matter what things look like.

  8. Someday it will ALL make sense to us.

Therefore…

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isa. 58:11 ESV)

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” (Isa. 48:17 ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, suicide, worst day, hope
Make every effort to grow spiritually

“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14 NIV)

Growth as a Christian does take effort 

Most Christians understand that you don’t work to get saved because what Christ did on the cross was more than enough for that. But spiritual growth, after you’ve received salvation, is another issue. The Bible tells us to “work out” our salvation (Phil. 2:12-13), which means that you must work to grow spiritually. In fact, the Bible says in the passage at top to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him”. So what does the idiom, “make every effort”, mean?

“Make every effort” defined: To put forth the greatest possible effort (to do, achieve, or accomplish something). 

Look at what other passages say about making every effort. 

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24 NIV)

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  (Eph. 4:3 NIV)

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 NIV)

“Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 BSB)

“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” (Heb. 4:11 NIV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,” (2 Peter 1:10)

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Rom. 14:19 NIV)

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.Yes, make our efforts successful!" (Psalm 90:17 NLT)

Mike Frenchbible promises
You are saved by grace through faith

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8 KJV)

Grace and faith

There are two parts to salvation, grace and faith. You are saved by grace but it’s through faith!

Grace is God’s part

It’s His unmerited favor. It’s a free gift. You cannot work for it. You cannot earn it.

Faith is your part

It is your positive response to what God has already done for you by His grace!

Without faith, you cannot unlock the power of grace! What is faith? It’s what you must do in response to what He has said. Simply put, you’ve got to believe what he has already provided in His Word in order to receive.

“If you (by your faith) declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, (by His grace) you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Rom. 10:9-10 NIV)

Therefore…

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 ESV)

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16 ESV)

Quotes:

“And now let me address all of you, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to accept of mercy and grace while it is offered to you; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation; and will you not accept it, now it is offered unto you?” – George Whitefield

“Trust wholly in Christ; rely altogether on His sufferings; beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by His righteousness. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation. There must be atonement made for sin according to the righteousness of God. The person to make this atonement must be God and man.” - John Wycliffe

Mike Frenchbible promises, grace, faith