Let Freedom Ring 

When we are not on the road taking the gospel to the places where the Lord sends us, we reside in Easton, Pennsylvania. Easton was one of three colonial cities where the Declaration of Independence was first read simultaneously on July 8, 1776. Just a few years prior to that history-altering event, George Whitefield passed away in Massachusetts. An Anglican minister from England, Whitefield was on his seventh preaching tour of the colonies when he passed into glory. 

An estimated 80 percent of colonial Americans personally attended at least one of his evangelistic meetings. To put that into perspective, it would be equivalent to 270 million Americans being impacted by the same move of God in our generation. This foundational work of God in colonial America would eventually become known as the Great Awakening. Its transformative impact on the founding of our nation cannot be overstated.

Before the Liberty Bell rang out in declaration of America’s national independence 250 years ago, a different sound was heard throughout the colonies. It was the sound of freedom that came into the heart of a nation that, during the initial crisis of its own existence, was not ashamed to declare its deep need for God.

The freedom that Jesus brings to us when we open our hearts to His Spirit is a freedom that transcends any other liberty. It is a freedom that no nation on earth can give its citizens. This liberty is powerful in its personal application.  

Freedom from the bondage of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8). This conviction can be a painful work of God in our frail human hearts. It must not be confused with condemnation, which the Lord never places on His children. Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, we admit that we need Jesus. We seek His forgiveness based on what He accomplished for us on the cross.   

As the Holy Spirit does His deep work in our hearts, we come to understand that we are sinful without Christ. Yet in our weakness we sometimes find it difficult to humble our hearts beyond that initial knowledge. The Holy Spirit is very patient. He reveals the love of Jesus to us in our weakness. He does not wait until we clean up our hearts to show us His great love. Even in the midst of selfish choices, the Holy Spirit reveals the love of Jesus to us (Romans 5:8). In our search for freedom, it is the Spirit of the Lord who helps us continually turn away from sin. The chains of bondage have been broken. Thank God for this freedom that He brings to us by His Spirit.

Freedom from the curse of death. The only time the Bible tells us of a weeping Messiah was when Jesus stood outside the tomb of His dear friend, Lazarus. According to the gospel of John, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). And although Lazarus had been dead for four days, he rose and came out.

Because of sin death has come upon all of us. Only in Jesus can we find resurrection life (John 11:25). Therefore we can echo the Apostle Paul’s words: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:55-57). 

Without death revival is impossible. Jesus died, taking upon Himself the curse we deserved. He conquered death, giving us the life that only He deserves. Because of God’s great love, the stone has been rolled away. So when you hear Him call your name, arise and come out!

Freedom from the power of darkness. Darkness is the work of the enemy. Darkness represents both sin, and the separation from God which Christ came to bridge. When we harbor sin and hate in our hearts, we walk in darkness. Those who are lost in unbelief dwell in darkness. A life in the dark is a life apart from God.

In our world of information, many in our generation today live in fear and confusion. This darkness creeps into our minds, steals our joy and blinds us to the love of God. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, He brings freedom from every work of darkness. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

When the future seems uncertain, we can reach for the Lord in faith. The power of His word has never failed and it never will. When He spoke, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), light came to be. Let us lift up our eyes and see that in Him is no darkness at all (I John 1:5).

The Holy Spirit’s presence sets us free from the bondage of sin, the curse of death, and every work of darkness. The true joy of freedom however, is not found in what we are liberated from. It is found in what we are liberated for. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we are set free to serve God. 

Freedom to give. Our modern materialistic society teaches us that acquiring worldly wealth can give us a sense of freedom. This lie is ingrained in our national consciousness with phrases like ‘financial independence.’ Similarly, the expression ‘American dream’ paints a picture of a person who works hard to acquire enough wealth to have a sense of success. 

The gospel is a message of sacrifice in giving. God the Father gave His very best gift for us when He gave His Son, Jesus. Our reach extends farther than our grasp. The Spirit of God sets our hearts free to let go of the things that are seen and look to the things that are unseen (II Corinthians 4:18). 

We can give forgiveness to someone who hurt us. We can give grace to someone who offended us. We can give of our time to others who need encouragement. We can cheerfully give of our finances to the work of God through our local church and through helping those whom we see in need.

Recently we visited Valley Forge, which is not far from where we live in Pennsylvania. As we toured the site where our nation’s first army spent a brutal winter, we thought about their sacrifice. Many soldiers gave everything, so that America might be born. At Valley Forge freedom was gained through a great sacrifice. 

Similarly, we have the ultimate spiritual freedom because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That freedom can come to others, as our sacrifice for Christ calls them to experience His love through us.

How is God calling us to give today? Is it spending the first hour of the day in prayer and seeking His face? Is it a kind act of love for someone who is deeply hurt? Is it finances that we need to let go of to find freedom? Are we generous givers with an open hand, or do we hold onto money with a tight grip? A glorious freedom comes into our hearts when we give in the same way that Jesus gave Himself for us. His Spirit sets us free to give. 

Freedom to awaken. “Awake, O sleeper!” was the cry of the Great Awakening. Yet it was not original to the Reverend George Whitefield. Long before the Great Awakening was birthed in the hearts of colonial Americans, the Apostle Paul penned the words. “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). 

Before America’s foundation was set in place, the sound of freedom rang throughout the colonies. The Holy Spirit set a foundation of faith in Christ before America declared independence from England. As we continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s national freedom, let us ask the Lord to show us how to live in His freedom. Let us live in freedom from the bondage of sin, the curse of death, and the power of darkness. In Christ we are free to give and free to awaken. Let freedom ring across America in His name!