Freedom Has a Name ... and It's Jesus

Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”-- Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

One night my husband opened the front door and a sparrow flew into the house. She had nested on a wreath that hung on our front door, and once inside the house immediately perched on a picture over our fireplace.

Bill held open the front door while I shooed her from her perch. But instead of flying out, she flew into the dining room, on to the kitchen, and finally to the laundry room. She thought she’d experience the freedom to live a good life inside our home.

By opening a back door, we finally freed the poor, tired sparrow to live in the great wild outdoors where she belonged and could finally be free as a bird.

Sometimes we humans get the wrong idea about freedom as well. Opposite of the sparrow, we think living indoors in Christ, would limit our freedom. We want to stay in the wilds, where we can do as we please. However, living within the boundaries of the Christian life actually enhances our freedom.

In Christ we are free from working to earn our salvation. How do we “earn” our salvation anyway? How many good deeds must we do? In Christ, our righteousness comes from His goodness, not our own. We strive to be good to please Christ, but our goodness does not earn us salvation.

Then too, we are free and forgiven for our sins—past, present, and future. We no longer offer animal sacrifices, since Christ is the sacrifice who paid the penalty for our sins. The Holy Spirit, who we receive when we dedicate our lives to Christ, gives us strength to overcome sins that would eventually harm us.

Only in Christ can we approach God the Father in prayer. That’s why we pray “in Christ’s name.” Only His perfection grants us that privilege. We can tell God our joys and our sorrows, our wants and our needs. And God always hears and answers.

If you’re reading this and aren’t sure if you are “in Christ,” just tell God you’re sorry for the wrong things you’ve done and that you believe His Son Jesus came to earth to live and then to die to take the punishment you deserve for your sins.

Don’t stay out in the wilds. That’s the right place for sparrows but not for us. We are far better off sheltered in the shadow of His wings.

Questions for Reflection:

1. For what life experience would you like to feel the refuge of being sheltered by God's wings? Tell Him.

2. Install a "Merlin" app on your phone, then sit and listen for birds as your phone identifies them. Thank God that you can feel as free as a bird since Christ is your Savior who died to take the punishment you deserve.

3. How has the Christian life enhanced your freedom?