Breaking Free: Embracing Our New Life in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17 tell us that we are new creations in Christ
“Therefore – if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are credited with Christ’s righteous life, our sin is forgiven, we are new creations able to live life to the full – being and doing all that God meant for us and knowing who we are in Christ…
However… perhaps this is not what we experience daily? Perhaps we struggle to live in the reality of this verse?
A few weeks ago, I had a picture of butterfly breaking free from its chrysalis. It was almost free – a new creation if you like – but it was entangled in the last bits of the chrysalis – it could not get completely free to fly away and live this new life. This picture has remained with me and set me thinking about a couple of verses. John 8:31-32 and Hebrews 12:1-3.
Much could be said about these verses, but I want to focus on a couple of truths.
Firstly – John 8:31-32, 36
“So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free …. so, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed "
Jesus is referring to spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. Let’s focus here on this freedom that touches our soul – not just our minds – it is greater than our emotions. He is saying that there is freedom in truth – freedom in the truth that we can be set free from sin and bondages, freedom in knowing the truth of who we are in Him, freedom in the truth of living under His grace, I wonder what binds you? Is there something in your life, some sin that you know you try to hide from God? What is causing you to be stuck like the butterfly?
Secondly - Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Here I want to focus on - ‘throw off everything that hinders’. And in particular – what has been said to you - spoken over you – something that you tell yourself that is not the truth? Something that stops you from running with perseverance for our God, that trips you up – keeps you stuck like the butterfly.
I encourage you to set some time aside to meditate and pray – picture yourself as that butterfly – being caught – listen to what God has to say to you about how his truth can set you free, about what entangles you. Write down the old false truths, the entanglements that bind you to your false truth life. Then take a pen and cross them out. Now write the new liberating truths – the true truths that will set you free. Let His wonderful Holy Spirit speak to you so that you may soar free – to live the life that God has for you.
