Freedom In Christ

 The term "freedom" is arguably one of the most frequently employed concepts in contemporary discourse. When discussing freedom, it often refers to liberation from various forms of control, including that of parents, society, government, or even divine authority. This interpretation of freedom is characterized as negative freedom, emphasizing the notion of individuals acting according to their own desires without external interference. 

  

This perspective is frequently cited by those who express disbelief in God or harbor animosity towards religion, as they perceive God as a cosmic authoritarian imposing restrictions on human behavior. However, it may come as a revelation that the Bible addresses the concept of freedom extensively. 

  

In fact, Jesus initiated his ministry with a strong emphasis on freedom. A notable excerpt from his Nazarene Manifesto states, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) 

  

This notion resonates with the Jewish concept of Jubilee found in Leviticus 25, which involves the cancellation of debts and the emancipation of slaves. The Nazarene Manifesto underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' mission, which encompasses both spiritual and physical liberation.  

Jesus Christ frees us from the weight of sin and the limitations of ceremonial law through His death and resurrection. He invites us to accept the grace and forgiveness He provides, reminding us that our value is not based on our achievements or perfection. Living in freedom through Christ means embracing a life guided by love, faith, and the Holy Spirit, liberated from guilt and fear. 

Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.

 In the bustling streets of Ephesus, the seven sons of the Jewish priest Sceva were struck by a sudden desire for fame after witnessing Paul’s miraculous deeds. One fateful evening, they stumbled upon a man tormented by a particularly nasty spirit. With swagger that could rival a superhero Iron man, they approached him, declaring, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, we command you to leave!” 

  

The atmosphere shifted dramatically as silence engulfed the room, and the possessed man’s gaze pierced through their bewildered eye and the stumped face of the crowd. The spirit within him erupted into a sinister laugh that reverberated ominously. Then, in a voice that sent shivers down their spines, the man spoke: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” If I were the writer, I would have been tempted to write, who the hell even are you?😈😈 You know, just for the sheer irony! 

  

Before they could even process the situation, the man sprang at them with an unexpected ferocity like that of a tiger who hasn’t tasted a meal for four days. Chaos ensued as the brothers scrambled for safety, their cries echoing as they were tossed around like rag dolls in a windstorm. In the end, they made a hasty retreat, leaving the room butt naked and screaming for help.

Story is inspired from Acts 19.

The Unwilling and Unredeemed

"The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned. " 2 Thessalonians 9-12

In the once-vibrant city of Veritas, the streets now reverberate with the hollow echoes of the powerful's laughter. The skyline, once a beacon of hope and progress, now looms under the oppressive shadow of the ruling elite's citadel. The citizens, who once cast their votes with dreams of a brighter future, now find themselves trapped in a waking nightmare.

Under the charismatic yet merciless Chancellor Mordel, the promise of a utopia has morphed into a dystopian reality. The privileged few bask in their lavish lifestyles, hosting extravagant soirées while the masses struggle to scrape together a meal or find clean water. Their cries for help are met with silence, as the elite revel in their excess.

Those who dare to challenge the status quo are hunted down, while sycophants and charlatans thrive in the Chancellor's twisted regime. The truth-tellers are silenced, their lives snuffed out in the shadows.

Patrolling the streets is the Tropper Storm, a brutal enforcer loyal solely to Chancellor Mordel. They crush dissent with ruthless efficiency, ensuring that the citizens of Veritas live as prisoners in their own city, every action monitored and controlled.

Tragically, many of Veritas's citizens remain ensnared in the Chancellor's web of deceit, believing the lies spun by his army of propagandists. Who will rise to save them from their self-imposed blindness? How can a people be liberated when they refuse to acknowledge the panopticon that surrounds them?