Freedom!

Hebrews 2:15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Jesus set us free to live to love with Him, not out of fear of punishment, but out of joy. Let’s grasp what the author said in chapter 2. God has spoken: Every transgression and disobedience of His Law deserves the penalty of death. No one escapes the penalty…except for God’s children (Jesus’ brothers and sisters), those who believe in Jesus as the eternal living Son of God who became a man and tasted death for them and promises to bring them to glory with Him. Before a person trusts in Jesus, they are not free to love. They are the devil’s slaves, slaves of fear. One might try to love so they won’t be punished, but that motivation doesn’t glorify God, so it is useless. God isn’t interested in our loving out of fear. In fact, He’s not impressed or pleased with our trying to love for Him. He gave His Son to free us from the motivation of fear so we could love with Him for the glory and joy of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Notice, Jesus became a man and died so that He might free the brothers He’s bringing to glory from fear which has made them slaves to the devil, sin, and death. When we live to love with Jesus, we do so out of joy, for the Father’s and the Son’s joy. In John 15:8-11 Jesus taught this. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. To abide in Jesus’ love is to live in and out of the benefits of His sacrificial, sanctifying, cleansing death for us. We are free from the guilt, shame, and condemnation of all of our transgressions and acts of disobedience through the work of Christ. Can you imagine our Father’s delight and joy in what He has accomplished? Also, from Jesus’ side, can you imagine the joy of His knowing He has obeyed and pleased His Father by His sacrifice on our behalf? Jesus kept His Father’s commandment and rested in His love through His life. Verse 9 says He tasted death for us by the grace of God. Jesus’ joy is the Father’s joy. So here’s the encouragement for us today. Our joy comes from abiding in the love of God through Jesus. He has commanded us to love with Him, so we know He will be filled with joy as we obey His commandment. When we know He is joyful over our obedience with Him, our joy is made full. Our joy is the Son’s joy. Jesus sets us free to live to love, motivated by His joy rather than fear. I hope you’ll be encouraged by the joy of Jesus set before you. It will cause you to despise, make light of, any suffering God allows into your life. You are being brought by the grace of God, through love, to the glory of God where you will enter into the joy of your master. If you haven’t read my book, Live to Love: Experience Freedom and Joy in Relationships, I encourage you to do so. It is available for free at livetolovewithjesus.com in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.