Walking In Your Freedom.

"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Rom. 6:6.

A detective who had been looking for an escaped criminal finally tracked him down in a drugstore. As the man began to make his purchase, the officer laid his hand on his shoulder and said, “You’re under arrest; come with me!” Stunned, the man demanded, “What did I do?” The detective calmly replied, “You know what you did. You escaped from prison several years ago. We’ve been watching for you since you returned.” Quietly the man admitted, “That’s true, but I was sure you’d never find me. Before you take me in, could we stop by my house so I can talk to my family?” The officer agreed. When they got to his home, the man looked at his wife and asked, “Haven’t I been a kind husband and a good father? Haven’t I worked hard to make a living?” His wife answered, “Of course you have, but why are you asking me these questions?” Her husband then proceeded to explain what had happened and that he was now under arrest. 

He apparently had hoped that his record as an exemplary husband and father would impress the officer. Even so, he was still an escaped criminal. Though he was “right” with his family, he was all wrong with the government. God does not simply "refurbish" or fix the old sinful nature; He brings about a complete regeneration, turning a sinner into a new creation. Transformation is a spiritual resurrection from death to life, not just behavioral modification. Jesus had to die and resurrect to achieve this. You have to accept His finished work to become a saint. God doesn't paint over the old, broken self; He makes a brand-new one. When you are in Christ, your old identity is gone, and a new one is established. The old life was characterized by bondage to sin. The new life is a resurrection where you are no longer obligated to obey the desires of the flesh. The old criminal thought he could achieve freedom through escape, but he got rearrested, in Christ we have achieved true freedom through redemption. A complete price has been paid for our freedom. We must walk in this freedom now.

You were not saved just to go to heaven; you were recreated to fulfill a purpose that God prepared in advance. The new life is proactive and intentional. God promises a spiritual transplant—removing the "stony" heart and replacing it with a heart sensitive to Him, enabling a transformed way of thinking and living. This new life is not patterned after the world, it's patterned after Christ. The new life is not merely for the present; it is a guarantee of sharing in Christ’s resurrected life. This life offers a future, not just a fix for the past. Our common criminal in our story escaped temporarily, he couldn't secure permanent freedom. In Christ we have complete liberty to live a life that guarantees future glory and happiness. Don't be found to live contrary to your call and destiny in Christ. Selah!

FURTHER READING:

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." — Ezek. 36:26.

DECLARATION: 

Dear Abba Father, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. Lord Jesus, I surrender my whole self to You—my heart, mind, and will. I receive Your life as my life. I count myself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Holy Spirit, help me to walk in the newness of this life daily. I ask for the power to put off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Neh. 9:1-38.

Neh. 10:1-39.

Neh. 11:1-36.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

“You Are Not Saved By Works You Are Saved By His Blood. But His Blood Must Produce Works Else You Are Fake.”