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LENTEN DEVOTIONAL, DAY 25, SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

Posted by Jonathan Hilding on

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.”    Romans  8:1-2

Freedom is a word that has inexplicably turned into a hot button issue for many. We would probably all say we enjoy freedom, but do we have a common understanding of how it is defined?  Some may think of freedom as the ability to make choices without interference. Others might define it as the ability to live life on their own terms. While still others may prefer to think of freedom as freedom from cumbersome rules and regulations. As we approach the Easter celebration, perhaps we should contemplate freedom from a Christian perspective. We willingly say Christ has set us free. So, what does that mean?  What are the implications of this statement for our eternal life as well as our day to day activities?

In an effort to gain insight into these questions, I referred to the transcript of a chapel talk given nearly 40 years ago by Dr. Edgar Carlson at Gustavus Adolphus College. Dr. Carlson was a long serving president of the college, as well as a highly regarded scholar and teacher. He wrote many papers and books on Lutheran theology. Dr. Carlson reminded his listener in this chapel talk that when Luther spoke and wrote about freedom he was not speaking about the quest for the right to make our own decisions. Freedom as Luther understood it, was connected to what the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans (8:1-4), “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the just  requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us. . . ”  So, Christian freedom is being released from the bondage of sin and death. Dr. Carlson then went on to give his own thoughts which included, “But if we are free from works on our own behalf, we are also free for works on behalf of our neighbors.” He also adds, “Because I have been made God’s own without merit on my own part, I will therefore give myself as a sort of Christ to my neighbor….”

These are certainly some powerful words and a challenge to our thinking. The great news is that Christ has died to save us from our sins and, although we are unworthy, by the grace of God we are accepted by Him. His love, therefore, allows us to shift our focus from the inward concerns of salvation to the outward concern for others. So, my thoughts this Lenten season lead me to the following question. How can I honor the assurance of my own freedom purchased through Christ in a way that helps others, especially in this unique and often confusing time?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died to give us freedom from sin and death. Help us to view this gift of freedom as an invitation to be less concerned about our own needs and more concerned about the needs of our neighbors. Please give us guidance and allow us to serve You by serving others. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

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