Freedom in Christ

When and What is it

Let’s look at how it was given to John and John.........

Apostle John Style or John the Baptist Style

1st, The Story of Freedom in Christ:

John 1 (ESV): 1-28

29. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

35. The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said.

‘Lamb of God’ - This title anticipaties Jesus’ death during the week of passover, when the passover lamb was sacrificed.

John knew his cousin would become the lamb slain for the sins of the world and John the Apostle penned it in a well known and deserved verse, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

But did he also know that he would die very soon, and even a few years before his cousin of deity would hang on a cross to his slow tortuous death (Jesus Christ)? Maybe the Lord revealed it to him, but even if not, what amazing freedom John the Baptist was given, to have the foreknowledge of the Great Victory by the Savior of the world, and the honor to pave the way for Him! He had a short life, but a life of service, which we can see he loved, appreciated and considered it an absolute honor to serve out! He had an absolute eternal attitude. What a model for us to attain to!

Uniquely for John the Baptist was ‘To be absent from his head, was to be present with the Lord!’

Now let’s talk about the Apostle John and the freedom he was given with a much greater length of time in this world and also the ‘what’ factor as well.

John the Apostle was one of Jesus's closest disciples and is identified more than once in the New Testament of the Bible as the "one whom Jesus loved." John, James, and a third disciple, Peter, were the only three present with Jesus when Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead, when the Transfiguration of Jesus occurred, and in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus was crucified. John and Peter were the two chosen to go ahead of the others to make preparations for the Last Supper, during which John was seated next to Jesus. The Apostle John is the only one of the twelve who was not martyred and who stood at the foot of the cross with Jesus's mother during the crucifixion, and now................ a highly esteemed narrator for the traveling production, The Thorn, as we who were here that day saw and know......ha ha

Seriously though, John, had a long life of ministry, persecution, attempted executions, and a long imprisonment, yet he was free to know his God, minister to many people including his enemies who tried to kill him, and receive revelations from the Lord that would become very long lasting!

Now let’s consider, was the ‘when’ and ‘what’ of each of these 2 John’s life of freedom in Christ comparable to each other though much different in the length of time and the aspects of ministry?

A short life and a long life

Both were given foreknowledge to proclaim for the eternal benefit of us all.

Both knew the man Jesus and the Lord Jesus intimately

Both were full of the Holy Spirit

By grace John the Baptist was taken home earlier when he lost his head, but never his heart! Equally by grace, John the Apostle, led the early church, took care of Mary as Jesus had requested and demonstrated the almighty power of God by being hard to kill as well as scribing much revelation that we have today.

There are many more blessings, and notable events and workings that we have no time for today, but are great studies to apply to our lives to better live out our freedom in Christ!

Galations 5:1 'At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.' AMP

Galatians 5:1 Good News Translation Freedom is what we have--Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Freedom is what we all appreciate, and freedom in Christ means being free of everything that holds us back from accomplishing everything the Holy Spirit asks of us and leads us into. Being free in Christ means being fully open to Him and He is faithful to abide in each of His children empowering us to live the abundant life in Christ and press forward in Victory as if we are in a race to win the price of the high calling in Christ Jesus!

Both John’s lived a great life here, and are enjoying eternal life as we speak and forever. Maybe John the Baptist got a little better deal to go home sooner?

In conclusion I have personal testimony to share of freedom found in Christ: Matt, Mandi