If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:23
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal. 5:1
Lord Jesus, none of us is as free as you intend. Thankfully, you still identify as the One who has “come to set captives free” (Luke 4:18). For we still have entanglements, chains, and fetters. The ache and anticipation we feel for the all-things-new-world you won for us fuels our longings and hope.
Jesus, we want to be free from loving-in-part. We want to be rid of that part of us that still carries scorecards, measuring sticks, and thermometers. We want to repent quicker than we criticize, have more compassion than vexation, and relax more than we try to control people and pain. Grant us thicker skin and bigger Gospel-hearts.
We want to be freer from racism, stereotyping, and cultural arrogance, Jesus. One Day we will join our every-nation, every-tribe family streaming into the New Jerusalem. We’ll maintain our rich diversity for eternity, but will enjoy the perfect unity which you purchased, and even now pray we would experience more fully (John 17).
We crave greater freedom from our fears—and only your perfect love can drive out those fears (1John 4:18). We want to remember the Gospel instantaneously, and forget people’s slights, spites, and oversights quicker than ever, Jesus. Help us. This isn’t denial or co-dependency, it’s faith expressing itself in love. It’s really believing your love, alone, is better than life (Psalm 63:3).
Free us from childishness unto childlikeness, from pettiness unto praise-fulness, and from small-mindedness unto large-heartedness. By the riches of the Gospel and the power of your resurrection, make us freer, O great and grace-full Liberator. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and triumphant name, Jesus.
