As we celebrate Freedom Day in the United States, God wants to remind us of the true freedom we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The dictionary gives three definitions for freedom:

1. The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

2. The absence of subjection to foreign domination.

3. The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

Even though physically we claimed to be free in line with the above definitions, spiritually we were in bondage.

1. We were hindered or restrained by our sinful flesh from acting, speaking or thinking in ways that are good and pleasing to God our Creator, even when we desired to do what pleases God (Rom. 7:18).

2. We were taken captive by the devil and were controlled by the spirit of disobedience (Eph.2:2; 2Tim.2:26).

3. We were slaves of sin (John 8:34; Rom.6:16).

We could not free ourselves from this bondage, but because God loves us, He sent Christ to redeem us. A slave is redeemed by someone who pays money for his freedom. In our case, Jesus paid to free us from the bondage of sin and its penalty of death with His blood.

The passage reveals the power in the blood of Jesus to set us free (1Peter 1:18-19):

A. It is imperishable. Unlike silver or gold that perishes, the blood of Jesus never loses its power. It’s power to save, heal, protect, and deliver never diminishes.

B. It is precious. It’s purity flows from its source – Jesus Christ, the Lamb without any blemish. As such, it has the power to cleanse and purify us from sin and our past, and is able to break the power of sin over our lives.

Because Christians have been freed from sin and evil, every captivity, and oppression (Luke 4:18), we are encouraged to stand fast in that freedom, so that we would not go back into bondage again (Gal.5:1).

Accordingly, we should make up our minds to live and act as people who have been set free from every bondage by the blood of Jesus (vs.13). By this mindset,

1. We keep our hope in Christ alive (v.13). If He paid for our freedom with His blood, then our hope in Him will also be fulfilled.

2. We should not be conformed to the passions of the past because they have been wiped away by the blood of Jesus. We have been set free to live holy lives (v.14-16). We have the freedom, not to do what we want, but to do what is right and pleasing to God.

3. We are free from generational sin, so we should not follow the bad conduct of our fathers or ancestors (v.18.b).

4. We have been delivered from the paralyzing fear of men, demons, and witches, into the fear of God. Fearing God is having a healthy respect and reverence for Him as grateful children who have delivered by the blood of Christ. When we fear God, we will not fear anyone or anything.

May the blood of Jesus that has set us free continue to purify us, protect us, heal us, deliver us from every power of the enemy, and strengthen us to live for God and bring Him glory. Blessings!