In our last post we noted that Christianity in and of itself cannot bring freedom – in fact sometimes it offers only another form of slavery. The truth is that, as the Bible teaches, only The Son can truly set us free. And it is the most liberating thing in the world to taste the freedom into which the Son brings us. It is also clear that wherever The Spirit of The Son resides freedom abounds!
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
Personally this is the one mark I look for when in a “Christian” context. Not the claims to orthodoxy, truth, relevance or tradition – but does freedom exist in this place? And to be sure The Spirit in me is sensitive as to whether or not he, with the hallmark of his freedom, is in control of what is happening in any given gathering, service or meeting.
But it is to the truth of the fact that it is only The Son who can set free that I want to return. I believe this is a foundational revelation and so wide in its importance and application that we can only mention a few things in a such short articles.
The primary relationship between Jesus and his Father is that of Son. The Father did not say of Jesus – “This is my beloved servant, elder, minister, prophet, priest or king” – but “This is my dearly loved Son” [Matthew 3:17]. Furthermore it was this core truth that the enemy tried to unravel in the life of Jesus – for if he was able to do so everything else would fall apart. His question therefore to Jesus, hours after the Father’s assurance, was – “If you are the Son of God?” [Matthew 4:3].
The fact of sonship [please note this is not a gender specific designation and applies to both men and women at a spiritual level] is not negotiable! It is possible for you and I to be a bad son, an unfaithful son, a rebellious son – but that never alters the fact that we are sons.
The enemy also sometimes comes to us with the allegation – “If you were a Christian you would not do this or that.” And we sometimes listen and despair. But the truth is if we are sons and daughters of God – we might rightly be embarrassed or disappointed in ourselves – but our status is unassailable! Furthermore it is The Spirit of The Son who lives in us, as Jesus promised –
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognise him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you.”
John 14:16-19 (NLT)
Please note it is the word “I” Jesus uses! And it is in this status – that of moving from orphan to son that brings true freedom and with it the amazing inheritance The Father bestows.
“And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT)
To be continued …
To download the free PDF booklet I wrote some years ago – HEART OF AN ORPHAN HERITAGE OF A KING – please click the image below ..
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