Name Tags: You are… Free

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)

If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:31-32 (BSB)

Certainly, all of us want to live free:

  • Free to determine the course of our lives.

  • Free to pursue our heartfelt destinies.

  • Free to worship what or whom we believe.

  • Free from prejudice and unfair judgments.

  • Free from warfare and constant danger.

While slavery is no longer legal, more slaves exist now than ever before, including in Europe and the U.S.* While I write about internal bondage, no saint should ignore human trafficking. It’s a hideous, real-time tragedy.

But… people who are physically free can find themselves spiritually bound:

  • By harmful habits or selfish lifestyles.

  • By loving things that never love us back.

  • By lies, guilt, fear, despair, or self-hatred,

  • By comfortable Christianity.

The one Way to spiritual freedom is the one Way to everlasting joy. The Ultimate Chainbreaker is Jesus!

He's waiting on us to spread the good news and model every fashion of freedom, which is NOT flaunting our physical wealth.

Instead, it's moving over obstacles other people see as impassable: abuse, despair, or crushing accidents; tragedies, betrayals, or great losses; diseases, addictions, or impairments.

Christians call them overcoming stories, which they are, and the world needs to hear them.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Unless we’re discussing Heaven itself, freedom isn’t a place. It’s a process… as it was for our King’s first disciples– since chains must become known to be broken.

Could Jesus step in and break them for us? Of course, but if He fought all of our fights– how would we learn and practice self-defense… wielding the strength God’s Son died to give us?

Perhaps of even greater importance, how could we fight on behalf of others, which compels us to “storm” the gates of hell?

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Freedom’s conclusion?

It’s bigger than us or fellow Christians. It calls us to help outsiders get free– by showing them the real Source of freedom… through kindness and the power of prayer.

Name Tags: You Are… Free (Part 43)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban