Freedom. This is a word that we Americans hold dearly. We have fought for it and many have died for it. But once in our nation’s history many were not aware of their freedom. In 1865, the enslaved in Galveston, TX learned that they were indeed free. We now celebrate Juneteenth in commemoration of this time.
According to an article in Good Housekeeping, “Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, but it wasn’t until June of 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger and the Union troops landed in Galveston, TX to tell the enslaved African-Americans living there that the Civil War had ended and that they were now free”.
Can you imagine their surprise? They had been enslaved for 246 years and it had actually been over 18 months prior? How could this be? Envision if you will the relief and celebration that ensued after hearing such news. How unbelievable it is to us today that it took so long for these Texans to learn of this wonderful truth.
Such also are many in the church today. We have been freed from the burden of our sins and set free by the blood of Christ but we don’t even know it yet.
Oh yes we know Jesus died for our sins and made a way for us to go to Heaven but friends there is so much more to this! We do not need to continue to be encumbered by our shame or guilt of the past.
Yes, there is a place for such but once we have left those at the feet of our Savior we are free. Only Satan would want us to continue to mull over past mistakes and failures. Jeus has suffered for us already and he said Himself with His dying breath, “It is finished”. He paid for our freedom with His life.
When Jesus died on that cross centuries ago, “there was a legal transference of the condemnation our sin deserved from us to him, and in the death of our Savior, all trace of anything that might otherwise be held against us is gone.”**
Now go and live like you are free. Jesus did not give up His perfect, sacrificial life for us to wander around and think to ourselves, “I don’t know, I’ve really messed up this time.” “God might not forget about this.” Or “That doesn’t apply to me. I’m not good enough for that.” Let’s not forget Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” or what about Romans 3:10, “ There is no one righteous, not even one;” If we could be ‘good enough’ Jesus would not have needed to come to take our places.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and asked for your sins to be forgiven, and received the Holy Spirit, then you are free indeed. Now go and walk in victory! Share with others the good news of what you have received and what they too can have with just a step of faith.
No one is too far gone. God is not mad at you. He wants everyone and anyone to come home, be a part of His family and receive His goodness. Then you will be liberated to pursue God’s purposes and live the life of joy He intended; guilt and shame free.
If the past tries to sneak up on you, remind yourself that what Jesus did for you stands forever. Paid in Full! Nothing anyone does can take that away! (Romans 8:38,39) Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! I am free!
The slaves in 1865 may have doubted the good news that they were free but I’m sure they investigated the rumors immediately. Is it true?
Yes, my people, you are finally free.
John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
?”Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”?
**Taken from “A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin (and Three things He’ll Never Do) by Sam Storms
According to an article in Good Housekeeping, “Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, but it wasn’t until June of 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger and the Union troops landed in Galveston, TX to tell the enslaved African-Americans living there that the Civil War had ended and that they were now free”.
Can you imagine their surprise? They had been enslaved for 246 years and it had actually been over 18 months prior? How could this be? Envision if you will the relief and celebration that ensued after hearing such news. How unbelievable it is to us today that it took so long for these Texans to learn of this wonderful truth.
Such also are many in the church today. We have been freed from the burden of our sins and set free by the blood of Christ but we don’t even know it yet.
Oh yes we know Jesus died for our sins and made a way for us to go to Heaven but friends there is so much more to this! We do not need to continue to be encumbered by our shame or guilt of the past.
Yes, there is a place for such but once we have left those at the feet of our Savior we are free. Only Satan would want us to continue to mull over past mistakes and failures. Jeus has suffered for us already and he said Himself with His dying breath, “It is finished”. He paid for our freedom with His life.
When Jesus died on that cross centuries ago, “there was a legal transference of the condemnation our sin deserved from us to him, and in the death of our Savior, all trace of anything that might otherwise be held against us is gone.”**
Now go and live like you are free. Jesus did not give up His perfect, sacrificial life for us to wander around and think to ourselves, “I don’t know, I’ve really messed up this time.” “God might not forget about this.” Or “That doesn’t apply to me. I’m not good enough for that.” Let’s not forget Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” or what about Romans 3:10, “ There is no one righteous, not even one;” If we could be ‘good enough’ Jesus would not have needed to come to take our places.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and asked for your sins to be forgiven, and received the Holy Spirit, then you are free indeed. Now go and walk in victory! Share with others the good news of what you have received and what they too can have with just a step of faith.
No one is too far gone. God is not mad at you. He wants everyone and anyone to come home, be a part of His family and receive His goodness. Then you will be liberated to pursue God’s purposes and live the life of joy He intended; guilt and shame free.
If the past tries to sneak up on you, remind yourself that what Jesus did for you stands forever. Paid in Full! Nothing anyone does can take that away! (Romans 8:38,39) Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! I am free!
The slaves in 1865 may have doubted the good news that they were free but I’m sure they investigated the rumors immediately. Is it true?
Yes, my people, you are finally free.
John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
?”Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”?
**Taken from “A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin (and Three things He’ll Never Do) by Sam Storms
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