Encounter FreedomSample

Day 2: Where Does Freedom Begin?

You may be asking, “Where do I begin? Where does freedom start?” Freedom is not defined as doing whatever we want. There are many who can attest to the fact that they did what they wanted and paid for the consequences. Freedom is defined as doing what God desires. God created us to be free, so His way leads to life and blessing (Deuteronomy 30:19).

The problem we face as humans is that none of us have fully done what God desires. The Bible calls this sin. Sin literally means that we miss the mark. In other words, we have not, do not, and cannot live holy, perfect lives. We miss the mark of holiness; we fall short. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and elsewhere it says, “there is none righteous” (Romans 3:10). Jesus says that all who have sinned have become a slave of sin (John 8:34).

The good news is that Christ Jesus loves you and did not come to condemn you, but save you and set you free. He did this by taking  your sin upon Himself on the cross, destroying the chains of sin’s penalty and power. Freedom begins in your life today by accepting God’s forgiveness and receiving Jesus by faith. It starts by recognizing that you have sinned against God, but realizing that God loves you so much. You cannot earn salvation or a relationship with Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 says that you are saved by grace, not by works, but through faith.

Today can be the start to your freedom by accepting and knowing Jesus personally.

Pray this prayer from your heart, not as a religious practice, but be genuine and authentic with God.

Lord Jesus, I come to You today confessing that I am a sinner. I have sinned against You and realize that I have disobeyed You. I am sorry and want to change. I believe that You love me so much that You died on the cross for my sins and paid the penalty for me. I believe that You rose from the dead and have defeated the power of sin and death.  Forgive me. I trust fully in the work of the cross and right now accept You by faith. Save me Jesus. I receive You into my life as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for setting me free today. Thank You that starting today, I now have a relationship with You! Thank you that I am new and can start a new life by being born again! Amen.

If you accepted Jesus Christ by praying that prayer, you are now born again! You are now a new creation, the old has passed, the new has begun! Freedom has started in your life because you are now in Christ, and Christ is in you!