Freedom and Life

I was not obligated to sing in a worship service today. I was not responsible for the learning experience in a Sunday School class. I was not required to attend any particular services at any particular time with any particular congregation. No, this Resurrection Sunday, I was, for lack of a better word, free. Free to reflect on the significance of this day. Free to enjoy the celebration taking place among the trees as the songs of the Father’s creation filled the morning air and rose as sweet incense of praise to their Risen Lord. Free to sing along and worship my Savior as beloved songs of praise flooded my thoughts: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow…”, “You ask me how I know He lives – He lives within my heart…”, “Now I have resurrection power Living on the inside; Jesus, You have given us freedom…”

Freedom. Jesus paid my debt with His life. He bore my sins – my careless words, my unforgiving spirit, my blatant disobedience, my hatred, my lies, my darkness – and He bled on the cross to wash me clean. He suffered to free me of the punishment I rightly deserve.

My freedom cost me nothing. It cost Jesus everything.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Still He chose to die for me and He offers me life through the power of His resurrection.

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I reflect on the great love my Savior demonstrated on the cross and the power of His resurrection, I can’t help but wonder if I am squandering His gifts of Life and Freedom. Have I forgotten their cost? Am I sharing these gifts with a dying world?

His death set us free.

His resurrection gave us life.

What are we doing with these gifts today?

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