Liberty From and Liberty To
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 csb
Coss Marte was sentenced to seven years in prison at age 23 for running a multimillion-dollar drug operation in New York City. While incarcerated, he was told he could die young due to his weight and poor health. Determined to change, he began working out in his cell, eventually losing over 70 pounds. After his release, Marte used his prison workout routine to start ConBody, a fitness company that mimics the intense exercises he did behind bars. He was now at liberty to launch it! With almost no money, just freedom, and determination, he began training clients in parks and rented spaces, eventually, ConBody gained national attention and opened a gym staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And we know that the Holy Spirit lives within every believer. With the Spirit comes freedom—freedom from the bondage of sin and freedom from death because of His life in us. But there are also things we are now free to enjoy! Like Coss Marte, our freedom in Christ gives us the power to choose life, to pursue holiness, and to follow the dreams He places within our hearts. Because we are free in Christ, we no longer have to carry the baggage of the sinful world we were once a part of. We are free to embrace the promises God has made to us through His Word.
Charles Spurgeon once said of God’s Word: “It is the bank of heaven—we may draw from it as much as we please without hindrance. There is not a promise—not a word in the Bible—that is not ours.”
So when you go through hard times, you can go to the bank of the Word and withdraw the same promise Joshua received: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9 Or when you feel overwhelmed, you can walk up to the ATM of Scripture and pull out Romans 8:28:“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
We are at liberty to go before God’s throne seeking Him for mercy, promises and grace for help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Christ’s liberty frees us not just from the bad—but also to the promises. In Christ, they are yours for the withdrawing. "For every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’ in him. Therefore, through him we also say ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 csb
Agape,
Pastor Frank
