Your Freedom is Secure // You Have Been Set Free, Part 9

A Different Perspective Official Podcast

There are so many things that will rob us of our freedom. And right up there, at the top of the list, is our enemy the devil. Because he knows that if he can make your freedom evaporate, chances are, he can drag you away from Jesus.

This probably isn’t going to be any shock to you, but your enemy the devil does not want you to be experiencing the freedom that Jesus came to bring you. Now, let’s not get confused about this; he’s happy for you know about that freedom in a vague sort of way. He’s even happy for you to see other people living in God’s freedom. That’s not a bad thing from his perspective. But he definitely, definitely does not want you experiencing God’s freedom.

Because, you see, here’s the thing: if freedom, God’s freedom is something out there, something that’s a great theory, something that preachers preach about, something that a handful of super Christians out there can maybe have, but something that is quite simply completely and utterly unattainable for you, then he knows he has you.

And let me tell you, there are a lot of so called Christians in that very boat. They know about freedom, they’ve seen others apparently living in freedom but it just doesn’t seem as though it’s ever going to happen in their lives. 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8:

Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

It’s a powerful picture isn’t it? And deliberately so. In the book of Job we’re told in Job chapter 1, verse 7 that:

The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ And Satan answered the Lord ‘From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down in it.’

So there he is, prowling around, walking up and down, just waiting to attack someone who is weak in their faith. Someone who doubts the promises of God, someone who’s come to the conclusion that the freedom they’ve heard about probably isn’t for them, it’s just never going to happen. Just like the lions in the wild, he’ll pick on the weakest victim and take them down to devour them. But, and this is a bit but, this is what God says about that. 1 John chapter 3, verse 8:

The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

So when you feel powerless, when you feel weak, when you feel as though the devil is on your case, man, have I got some good news for you today? This Jesus in whom you believe is right there next to you, in fact in you, to destroy the works of the devil on your behalf. In your weakness, in your doubt, in your failings, all you need to do is to turn to him, to ask him, to look at him and he will, he will send the devil packing. He will breathe his freedom into your heart by his Spirit. He will stand for you, he will protect you. It’s just what Jesus does.

I have some good news for you today. You need never, ever, ever be afraid of the devil. To be sure though there’s a battle going on in the spiritual realm for your soul. Jesus came to save you and the devil wants to snatch that gift of eternal life, that gift of grace, that gift of freedom right out of your hands. And it’s absolutely true, there is a battle going on. This is how Jesus puts it: John chapter 10, verse 10 he says:

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.

Someone asked me once, "What does it mean to have an abundant life?" Well, let me first say that the word Jesus used there literally means super abundant, it’s just that we don’t have an English equivalent for that. Suffice to say, it’s a really strong word, it’s a word that’s really over the top. So the question should be, "What does it mean to have a super abundant life?" It’s a life of freedom. If you read the rest of the parable in that chapter, Jesus talks about his sheep being able to come in and go out in safety, in protection, in freedom. John chapter 10, verse 9:

I am the gate; whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

See that’s a great picture. It’s a picture of that abundant life. It’s a picture of freedom and safety to come in and to go out and to find pasture. But this battle Jesus is talking about in-between the thief and the true shepherd, it isn’t a battle of two equal and opposite forces, one of evil, one of good, don’t for one moment imagine that. Jesus goes on to make the point. He’s not some hired hand who runs away at the first sign of trouble. No, John chapter 10, verse 11 he says:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

And so he did. He died and rose again to set you free. We go looking for freedom in all sorts of different places. Sometimes we let the devil lead us by the nose, being tempered into this or that. Sin always tarts itself up to look good, otherwise it wouldn’t be tempting. But Jesus, Jesus is the true shepherd and his sheep know his voice. I’m certain you can hear him speak as I share his words with you today.

And because he is the good shepherd, because he laid down his life for you, because he was raised again to give you a new life, you need never, ever fear the devil. Your freedom is secure. That’s the good news.

Maybe that’s still a bit difficult for you to believe. Now, let’s think about it this way. Let’s imagine that God loves you every bit as much as he tells you. After all, the evidence for that is pretty strong. John chapter 3, verse 16:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

If that’s true, do you think he’d allow the devil to rob you of the freedom that Jesus purchased for you on that cross? Do you image for one moment that God would allow that incredible act of sacrificial love to go to waste? There are people who believe in Jesus with all their hearts and yet they’re afraid that something they’ve done or something they might do one day will rob them of their freedom.

Come on, you hadn’t found yourself wondering at some point, "I wonder if I’m in, or not. You know, I wonder if God’s forgiven me, I wonder if when I finally stand before him I’ll pass the judgement." And can I tell you, the devil loves that. Because if he can get a toehold in your mind, he’ll work away to undermine your faith. And truly that’s why I believe God has brought us together today. Because he’s not going to allow that to happen.

Jesus said that if you continue in my word you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. So let’s do a bit of continuing, a bit of knowing, to set you free from any doubt. Romans chapter 8, verses 31-39:

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did even withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?

Who will bring any charge against God’s elected? It is God who justifies. Who is going to condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, yes who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor anything present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything, in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hey, that is powerful stuff isn’t it? Nothing whatsoever can separate you from the love of God in Christ. That means your freedom, your salvation, are absolutely secure.