Finding Freedom

Once, I spent over a month meditating on the powerful passage of Romans 8. I was primarily looking at The Message version, because it so often breathes new life into well-known verses for me. Some days I would read the whole passage, sometimes half, others only a few verses. I meditated and mulled over those words until they became alive to me. I’d like to share a few thoughts on the first two verses with you today, much as they flowed through my mind as I meditated.

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2, The Message)

What dilemma is the Scripture talking about? Perhaps the dilemma of fate, since it’s mentioned in the verse. Or does it refer to our ultimate fate as fallen human beings? A fate that will result in us being separated from our glorious Maker. Maybe it even means eternal separation, which would be the appropriate consequence of our sinful state. But with the arrival of Jesus and His gift on the cross, the slate is wiped clean. Once we accept that gift, we are reconciled to our heavenly Father. We are no longer pawns of fate—or of Satan, the enemy of our soul—but beloved children of God. His Word says we are now a royal priesthood, ambassadors of Christ to the dark world around us (1 Peter 2:9).

I know I’ve lived too much of my life under a “low-lying black cloud,” even as a believer. What about you? Do you ever feel oppressed, depressed? That’s not God’s plan. Christ has already done the work to set us free from that. We no longer have to live under that darkness. But what is the condition for escaping the dark cloud? We must enter into Christ. Jesus, the Light of the world, lives in us. He shines through us. He is more than capable of dispelling that darkness. As we soak in His presence, the darkness dissipates. As we speak His name and declare His word, the darkness must flee.

A new power is in operation.

At the cross, Jesus conquered the Enemy. Satan lost his power and death was defeated. The Bible tells us that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us. And He’s given us the keys to the kingdom (Galatians 3:13, Matthew 16:19). Since we are His ambassadors and His children, He’s given us a new power. Yet too often we can feel powerless, defeated, and broken down. That’s when we must put on the full armor of God that we might stand against the assaults of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10). We must fill ourselves with the Word of God so that we can not only withstand any attack, but even be on the offensive for the kingdom of God.

And here’s the best part! The Spirit of life in Christ blows in like a strong wind, clearing the air of that black cloud. Can you see it? Can you feel it blowing crisp and clean across your skin? Take a moment to close your eyes and picture this scene. Picture the black cloud in your life. Name it. Then watch the Spirit of life blow it away and clear the air. We are now free from our original fate. Free from the brutal tyranny we were born under. Free from a life as slaves to sin and death. Free to serve Christ in all His liberty and grace—in clean air under bright blue skies. 

Why don’t you take a moment to dance and spin in that freedom? I know I will.

Other relevant Scripture: 1 John 3:1-2 , 2 Corinthians 5:20, John 8:12 , 2 Corinthians 3:17, Psalm 30:11

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Scripture is quoted from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.