What Makes Us Free
I find World War 2 history very intriguing. I was watching a documentary on Auschwitz, the death camp set up by the Nazis to murder Jewish people during World War 2. I’ve seen several documentaries on the subject, but this time the Lord directed my attention to the sign over the entrance to the camp. It says, Arbeit macht frei (Work Sets You Free). The Lord said to me, “The devil is still using the same old lies.”
I had to think. What’s the lie?
I think all of us at one time or another have bought the lie that it was works that would set us free. We thought if we prayed long enough, read our Bible for hours, faithfully went to church, and served our fellow man, than we would be pleasing to God and earn something from Him. None of that brings freedom nor does it secure us our place in heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-9Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
We know then that it is by faith that we are given access to the Kingdom of God and an eternity with Him not by doing those things I mentioned. What then makes us free?
John 8:31-32Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Knowing God’s Word and living it make us free. We receive what God has provided for us by faith, and then through that position of right standing with God, we then by faith and the leading of the Holy Spirit live our lives– all, of course, in line with our life manual, the Bible, the Truth. What does the Truth set us free from? Fear, sin, eternal death, guilt, sickness, disease, poverty, lack, pain, and making poor decisions (we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit). This scripture sums it up:
2 Peter 1:3
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
We have been given the ability to supersede the earth cursed system of bondage to live the abundant life of freedom Jesus promised. Therefore, let us commit ourselves to living that life of freedom by knowing His Word, putting it first place in our lives, and living it out everyday. No living like the residents of Auschwitz, but living like residents of heaven.