A few weeks ago, I started a little series relating to one particular passage. I discussed the second and third part of the Trinity as we find in the first part of the passage. Today we’re going to look at the concept of freedom related to the Holy Spirit. The passage we’ve been looking at is:

Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. None of our faces are covered with a veil. All of us can see the Lord’s glory and think deeply about it. So we are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And this glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. Freedom is an interesting word.  It is often misunderstood in Christian teachings because it isn’t taught in proper context.

Here we find the word freedom refers to the change of status that occurs when one receives the Holy Spirit.  Prior to salvation, we are criminals.  We’ve been tried, found guilty and convicted.  As lawbreakers, we are in prison.  We are held in chains and sentenced to death.

Have you considered yourself a prisoner?  Maybe you’ve never committed an offense so severe to warrant prison on earth.  Yet, the Bible tells us that we are all guilty of sin.  (Romans 3:23) Our sin has earned us a death.  (Romans 6:23)  I don’t often give significant thought to the destiny I was freed from.  I was on death row.  There was no hope.  And then God…

[Tweet “Have you considered yourself a prisoner?”]

God had a rescue plan to “bust me out” of there! Because of Jesus, because the Spirit is present in my life, I’m free.  I’m no longer bound for the electric chair.  My life has been saved.

[Tweet “I’m no longer bound for the electric chair.”]

Unfortunately, many of us forget.  We continue to walk around bound by chains of shame, guilt and legalism.  We have been freed.  As we actively seek the Spirit of the Lord’s movement in our life, we discover freedom.  Freedom is a package deal with God’s Spirit.  As we recognize our freedom, we discover a new lease on life–a new perspective.  Our values, our definition of success, our purpose is all changed because we escaped an unimaginable fate.  We found grace.

[Tweet “Freedom is a package deal with God’s Spirit.”]

Take some time this week to consider what a freedom from death means for you.  Take time to consider salvation.