• Rejecting Our Freedom

    By: Kristen L. McNulty



    Ephesians 1:7 says that "[God] is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins."

    Let me repeat that paraphrased. God is so full of kindness and grace that He purchased your freedom with Jesus' blood and forgave all of your sins. What He did was the greatest gift that ever could have been given to us but the tragedy is way too many of us try to give it back.

    Some do so because they think they are unworthy of it and are doing God some sort of a favor by not taking Him up on His kindness and His grace. Like the Good News was meant for everyone else but you. But let me present this in a different way.

    Let's say you were on vacation in a beautiful country and you were warned to stay away from one section because it can be dangerous place. But you dismiss the warnings and decide to do a little exploring. You somehow end up in the middle of militia territory and find yourself surrounded by soldiers with big guns who take you hostage. For years you spend your days in a dark cell, not allowed to see the light of day and surviving on very little food and water. You feel like there's no hope of escape.

    But then one day you hear a commotion outside. Soldiers from your countries army have raided the compound with the sole mission of rescuing you. They fight their way to your cell and open the door. Just as you are jumping to your feet to leave that dark cell, a member of the militia rushes in and starts firing it you, so one of the soldiers jumps in front of the bullets, taking them for you and he dies.

    More soldiers rush in and incapacitate the enemy and yell at you to run out of the cell and go with them to freedom. So what do you do? Do you tell them I'm unworthy because I got here because of my own mistakes? Do you say I should stay because one of the soldiers died for me? Do you try to convince the one who gave his life for you that you're unworthy? No you get up and run out, ensuring that the soldiers sacrifice was not in vain.

    We see that scenario so clearly, but how many of us know that Christ died for our freedom yet choose to remain in the cell? The sacrifice has been made, our mistakes have been erased but we spend our days trapped in our own little cells instead of accepting and embracing the incredible freedom that God has to give us!

    The truth is Jesus died for your freedom and mine. He knew we would do things to make us unworthy to the world but He still found us worthy in his eyes so He made the ultimate sacrifice. Please don't let that sacrifice be one one done in vain!

    Instead leave the cell and make your life one about living in light of that very sacrifice and your very freedom! As we read in Ephesians 2:8-10:

    "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    Return To The Impact Devotional Archive