Title: True Freedom/Romans 8:1-6
Content: True Freedom/Romans 8:1-6
In life, people sometimes feel certain impulses. It is freedom from work and life, and furthermore, the urge to escape from life. That's why people who longed for freedom even said, "Give me freedom or death."
Freedom for a person is the freedom from physical bondage of a person who is physically detained or in prison. It would also be political freedom to break free from political dictatorship and enjoy democratic freedom. However, the Bible explains the true freedom of life as follows.
(John 8:32) You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
The truth is Jesus Christ. So, let's take a look at what true freedom, true freedom is.
1. The meaning of freedom
In Hebrew, the verb "to be free" is written as (hapash). The Old Testament speaks of freedom in three ways. First, freedom from slavery, then freedom from spiritual captivity, and thirdly, freedom, or unprotection, in the negative sense of abandonment.
In the Greek language, liberty ( , elutheria) refers to the freedom enjoyed by slaves and citizens on the other side. This is the freedom of man freed from the oppression of tyrants. And this freedom is the inner freedom free from one's own desires.
Freedom in the New Testament is the liberation of a person from the sin of being led by evil. Freedom means escape from a life of wandering in spiritual disorder and the lusts of lusts. Therefore, freedom does not necessarily mean freedom from any physical restraint.
There are many North Korean defectors from North Korea. However, it is said that most defectors are failing to adapt to a free South Korea. This proves that not everything is possible just because there is food and physical freedom.
Blind freedom is also seen as a departure from mental and spiritual protection and control. This freedom is a far cry from true freedom. This can be seen as a condition of derailed people who are free-spirited and enjoy false freedom on the streets. This free-spirited, extravagant life, and the indulgence of wandering around nightlife and pubs, is an aberration rather than freedom.
In addition, wrong freedom drives people into the abyss of sin and ultimately leads to ruin. Living according to the thoughts of the flesh leads only to the worries and sufferings of the world because of life in the flesh. But true freedom means that one who has sinned in the slavery of sin and lust comes out of the wrong way.
(James 1:15) When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Seo Taiji has returned to Korea after spending 4 years in the United States, and these days, Seo Taiji Syndrome is emerging among young people. This phenomenon explains the mental vacuum of modern youth and the emptiness of the wandering generation. This is a psychological phenomenon in which wandering youths are enslaved to someone by their minds and seek some satisfaction there.
In the 17th century, the philosopher Pascal said, "There is a great hole in the human heart, which cannot be filled with the pleasures of the world or material lust, and no matter how hard we try, it ends in dissatisfaction and disappointment. Only when we serve God in that hole." It can fill you up, and you can find true peace.”
There is a big hollow hole in our heart. Because of that, we are not enjoying true freedom.
2. Spiritual freedom
Romans 8 speaks of Christian freedom. This freedom is enjoyed by 'those who are in Jesus Christ', and those who are in Christ refer to 'those who live with Christ'. They enjoy three spiritual freedoms.
1) Freedom from sin and death
The modern age is an era of family crisis. It is also the age of juvenile crime. According to recent statistics in Korea, 459 families divorce each day. Also, domestic violence is rampant and drug offenders are on the rise. In 1999, the number of drug offenders surpassed 10,000 for the first time. It is also said that the number of people who commit suicide is higher than the number of people killed in car accidents. In addition, various crimes are increasing rapidly as the economic level and educational attainment are increasing. So, who can solve this sin problem?
(Romans 8:1,2) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Jesus Christ sets everyone free from sin and death. The 'law of sin and death' refers to the principle that leads to death through sin, and it refers to the fact that death spread to all people through one man, Adam (Romans 5:12). In this death our Lord said, 'I have set you free.' This refers to the fact that we were set free from eternal sins once for all.
The only way to correct people and change them to be righteous is to turn them back to God. We believe that if we live with Christ, we will be freed from the evil that pervades all around us.
2) Freedom from defeat and disappointment
We are living in a system of competition in life, with fatigue and a lot of sense of defeat. Our plans and intentions are not working well, and pain and frustration are weighing us down. We are suffering with a lost heart, and a broken heart makes our lives wander.
(Romans 7:24) O wretched man I am; who will deliver me from this body of death?
But when the Spirit of Christ lives in us, we are freed from 'defeat' by living the will of the Spirit. Not only that, God will build us up with hope for us who are defeated, frustrated, and full of disappointment in today's life.
(Romans 8:37) But in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
3) Freedom from fear
Christ is our mediator to God, and we are freed from 'fear' because we cannot be separated from His love. Fear is God's punishment for sin. Sin is arbitrary and gives temporary pleasure, but ultimately drives a person into fear and horror.
Many events in our lives and in our lives that threaten and worry us pour out around us every day. Sometimes anxiety, worry, and anxiety come over us. However, we must overcome all these things with faith looking to the Lord and remain in true freedom.
(1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has a punishment, for he who fears is not perfected in love.
Meanwhile, modern people are suffering from insomnia and various neurological diseases of unknown cause. This is the result of not experiencing God's love and living in sin and fear.
3. True Freedom
The life of a believer who is united with Christ lives a life of victory. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that believers can enjoy true freedom and live a victorious life.
(2 Corinthians 3:17) The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
In this chapter, the word 'the Holy Spirit' appears 19 times in particular, emphasizing that true freedom is achieved only through the work of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 8:1,2) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
In general, the direction of our life and our happiness and unhappiness depend on what kind of thoughts we have in our minds.
It is as if the computer outputs it as it is, depending on what program the computer has and what the input file has.
Also, as we know, the modern age is the age of superpowers. We live in the present age with the power of information rather than our own strength and ability. As such, modern times rely heavily on the power of others and information, not on one's own efforts.
The 'law of the Holy Spirit' in the text refers to the Holy Spirit always and supernaturally working in the lives of the saints, leading them to the path of eternal life. On the other hand, the law of sin means that sin dominates a person's entire personality, leading to evil, and ultimately leading to death.
(Romans 8:5,6) Those who are after the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, and those who are after the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. But the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.
However, when believers break free from this law of sin and live according to the law of the Holy Spirit, they can live a victorious life. For the law of the Holy Spirit is far superior in power to the law of sin.
Romans 8 introduces people into two categories. It is one who is ruled by sinful human nature and one who is ruled by the Spirit of God. In other words, there are people of the flesh and people of the spirit.
The focus and center of the life of the fleshly man is himself. This man lives a life of sinful human nature. As the only law, he lives according to his desires and his own judgment.
(Romans 8:6,7) The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. The carnal mind is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it do so.
On the other hand, the spirit man lives a life dominated by the Spirit of God. They live in Christ, not separated from Christ in their lives, just as they breathe human air. Just as the air fills a man when he breathes in the air, so Christ fills him with satisfaction when he lives with Christ. For them, the will of Christ is their only law. They are governed by the Holy Spirit, governed by Christ, and live centered on God.
These two kinds of life go in opposite directions. The sinful human nature is going down the path of death with a life dominated by desires and actions, and a life dominated by the Holy Spirit is a Christ-centered life and a God-centered life leading to eternal life. That person will live a victorious life of becoming one with Christ every day. This person is a free man, and he becomes a person who possesses true freedom.
(John 8:36) Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.
In our society now, we can see that we are free-spirited and live as we please. Therefore, we should think about ourselves, 'Am I truly free and enjoying a quality life?' We will have to examine whether the freedom we enjoy is truly freedom. True freedom does not come from self-indulgence, but only in the truth.
conclusion
If Romans 7 is a night of anguish, chapter 8 is the chapter where you feel the freedom advanced in the bright morning. At the end of Romans 7, there is a groan of deep anguish over the infreedom that comes from sin. However, in Chapter 8, the words and sentences are not only new and colorful, but also feel a whole new environment. It is a scene where you can enjoy the feeling of being freed from inconvenient restraint.
Romans 7 is the condition of the old man, and chapter 8 is the changed form of the new man. The sinful life that was so unfree, hard, and enslaved is transformed into a free life filled with joy and joy, full of righteousness and goodness. This is true freedom in Christ.
May you find freedom from sin and death, defeat and disappointment, and fear. Our true freedom comes from living in the control of God in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. I hope that we will no longer dwell in pain and frustration and become saints who enjoy true freedom in God who gives us true victory.