Freedom Through The Obstacle

What Are You Enslaved To?

Romans 6:15–23 (NKJV)

Romans 6:15–23 NKJV

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:15-23

What is the point of doing the same thing over and over? You get out of prison, you go back to doing the same thing you were doing before. You promised your loved one, while you’re here. you’ll never do it again and then what happens? Its been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. That is true in a sense, but one of the actual definitions of insanity is extreme foolishness.

John 8:31–36 (NKJV)

John 8:31–36 (NKJV)

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Its the truth of Jesus that makes you free, not some self help book, some new trend, or some lawyer you overpaid for. You’re not going to find freedom in an ITP class or a loophole in the law that will get you out of prison. True and lasting freedom comes from Jesus Christ alone.

Don’t Give Up

Joshua 1:1–9 (NKJV)

Joshua 1:1–9 (NKJV)

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Its not until Joshua does something for a long period of time that he becomes prosperous. Success happens through diligencenot a hand out.

Joshua 6:20 (NKJV)

Joshua 6:20 (NKJV)

So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Galatians 6:7–9 NKJV

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

God’s timing is perfect. It was in chapter 1 that Joshua was told that the Israelites would inherit the promised land. It wasn’t until chapter 6 until they saw their first military victory. Just because you haven’t seen your victory yet doesn’t mean its not coming. Maybe it means you’re just chapter 2, 3, 4, of your story!

Don’t lose heart man of God! You’re not facing this obstacle alone!

You’re Not Alone

John 16:33 (NKJV)

John 16:33 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

1 John 4:4 NKJV

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Its only because of the obstacle that I have a reason to seek Jesus to help me overcome and achieve that desired outcome. Which is a life of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Every time you go through something, there’s an opportunity for God to show you His power for your freedom through that obstacle.

Do You Want To Be Free?

John 5:1–16 NKJV

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” 11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

John 5:1-16

There’s times where the things of the world seem like they’re the best thing in the world. The drugs, the alcohol, the party lifestyle etc. But these things don’t lead to freedom. Only faith in Jesus leads to freedom! Do you want to be free? You’re going to have to give up some stuff for freedom, but true freedom in Jesus is worth any sacrifice. Do you want to be free from your addictions? Get to Jesus. Do you want to be a man you can be proud of? Get to Jesus! Do you want to be the husband that your wife can’t resist? Get to Jesus! Do you want to be the Father your children can look to whenever they need anything? Get to Jesus! Do you want to be that business leader, that positive influence, that change in the world that you want to be so bad? Get to Jesus! Jesus is freedom!