Freedom begins in community 2 Cor 3:17
The surrender to Christ as Lord and savior means the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and, as 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We only begin to understand the freedom that we are extended when we first come to Christ. It is through the daily surrender to Him and the access to the trinity that offers incredible freedom.
This freedom is the knowledge and understanding that we are free from judgement and hurt in Jesus. This doesn’t mean that we won’t be judged or hurt by others, but rather that the creator of all has forgone all of that and accepts and loves us completely, unreservedly, and unconditionally.
That love and acceptance fills us in such a way that the rest of the pain and rejection can be managed, forgiven, and healed. Unfortunately, we will continue to live in and with pain and rejection and all that hurts, daily handing it over to Him. But, in Him we can find love, peace and acceptance that transcends that pain.
What is even more amazing is that the acceptance and love that we receive overflows and extends to others. The freedom that we receive because of the community we have in Him, extends to others when we are in community with others.
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he addresses this freedom again, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Gal 5:13 NIV) The freedom that we have in Him is the basis of the service and life we share with others. It is with others that this freedom is fully manifest. It is when we are living in community, sharing our lives with others, that we are fully free and manifesting that freedom that we have in Him.
Personal freedom begins with community with Jesus, as Lord and Saviour. Through Him, we access God the Father and Creator; we access the Holy Spirit who brings freedom. In our community with the triune God, we are liberated from the oppression of this world. It is in community with others that we share this personal freedom – which makes it a public freedom, the public freedom to love and accept others as we are loved and accepted. Sharing our freedom leads others to understand that freedom, the love and acceptance that awaits them. The love and acceptance they can embrace as their own.
Freedom begins in community, as a personal joy, but we are called to share it. Freedom cannot be boxed up and contained within us. To be ‘freedom’, it must be free. Freedom moves and touches others; as we have received, we must share.
the service and life we share with others
FREEDOM