One of the great truths we hold in redemption is that Jesus came to make us free. Whatever bondage we may have had that confined and restricted us from living the life that God intended for us to live was dealt with on the cross. We were liberated by the precious blood of Christ. However, there are many who still live bound by a containment barrier that prevents them from being free to enlarge their borders and expand their horizons. They have found a portion of the vast work of what Christ accomplished for them in receiving forgiveness of sins and acknowledging that they are no longer slaves to the law of sin and death. The truth that they have been liberated from their past life and have received a new life from God is now a reality to them. But they have yet to explore the real possibilities to what being truly free holds for them, and the empowering ability of the Holy Spirit who can plumb the depths of this liberty to where he is able to bring them into a full manifestation of this freedom in every respect of the word.

           Paul wrote to the church of Corinth and said, "Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). Jesus called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. Wherever the Spirit of truth is there is liberty. In Paul writing to the Romans he calls the truth the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2). Where there is truth, there is life and there is liberty. James describes it as the "perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25). The reason he calls it perfect is because there is nothing more needed to bring us into the full end of it. There is nothing more that Jesus needs to do. The full end of our freedom lies in the truth!

           The Greek defines this word freedom as ELEUTHEROO. The root word actually carries two very important meanings. One is freedom from the restraint and misery of human frailty. The other is freedom from the dominion of corrupt desires so that we can do by the free impulse of the soul what the will of God requires. These are two very meaningful truths that are intended to take us far beyond where our natural mind is capable of going.

           When we employ the Holy Spirit to work in us this freedom, this liberty, then what will come of it is we will begin to experience a fresh revelation of the living inspiration of God's truth. Out of it will come his enabling power to move us into the things of God without the limitations imposed upon us by the weaknesses of our own flesh. 

            The word of God is not only the basis for our freedom, but because it is the truth, it can unveil to us the full end of where this freedom wants us to go. There is so much more we can walk in as a result of our union with Christ if we will let the Holy Spirit bring us into the fullness of our liberties.

            As we begin this New Year, may we start by enlarging the vision of all that Christ came to do in us in order for him to work through us. The Lord spoke a word to my heart as we came to the end of this past year, and it really helped to set the tone for what we are to seek to accomplish in the days ahead. He said, "More of him, more to do through him!"

            Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work" (John 9:4). I can't tell you that I know everything that is going to occur this year. All I know is that the prophet Isaiah prophesied and said, "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee" (Isa. 60:2). We are certainly seeing more and more darkness invading our world. Based upon this truth, as the darkness continues to pervade, then we can surely expect to see a greater manifestation of the glory of God shining in us and through us. That is where this liberty wants to take us.  It is ours in order to bring us into the greater glory. If we will purpose to walk in all that our freedom holds, then we will truly know the power in being "free to be free." Always remember, God has new territories, new plateaus, new adventures, and new horizons awaiting us if we will let the truth that we are a people of liberty dawn upon our hearts.