Dan and Deb

2 Corinthians 3:17

“Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

     Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. This was my verse this week at work. It helped me remember that no matter what is going on in life, where the Spirit is, there is freedom! I’m struggling with this, a lot.

     I know that I’m indwelt and sealed with the Holy Ghost[1], yet sometimes, it seems I forget this and feel like I’m stuck in bondage. My living situation is not ideal. I’m a recovering addict/alcoholic living amongst non-recovering alcoholics. I’m a Christian trying to live a life pleasing to God, yet live with people that know who God is but refuse to open their hearts to Him. I’m married and being obedient to the Word regarding marriage, yet feel so distant from my wife because we are in a forced separation. I’m surrounded by negativity, often feeling beat down by the enemy of the brethren. I fail to recognize that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is.

     Matthew Henry’s Study Bible defines the liberty Paul speaks of as follows. “Freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God’s commandments.”[2] So, as we think about the word liberty, God is telling us that where His Spirit is, we are no longer under the law[3], we no longer need to be a slave to sin, the veil of the temple has been torn[4] and we now have free access to God and can come to Him in prayer.[5] We are set free to follow the two great commandments, “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength[6] and love our neighbors as we love each other[7].

     Back to my problem. How do I as a Christian remind myself that I am free no matter what my circumstances? The study of the Word combined with prayer is the only way. I’ve realized this recently. I read the Word of God on a daily basis. Yet, I forget that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. When I’m walking to work or before I’m preparing to do something, I pray. Yet, I forget that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. I HAVE to study and meditate over the WORD OF GOD. If I want to feel that communion, if I want to experience the freedom of liberty, if I want to be reminded that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is, then I have no other option in this life.

Praise the Lord for His Mightiness!

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[1] Ephesians 1:13

[2] Matthew Henry, The Matthew Henry Study Bible KJV (World Bible Publishers, 1997) 2038

[3] Romans 6:14

[4] Matthew 27:51

[5] Hebrews 4:16

[6] Matthew 22:37

[7] John 15:12