Scripture: Philippians 2 v 3 - 7: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
Isaiah 61 v 1: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" (Quoted by Jesus in Luke 4 v 18).
Today is a holiday in South Africa to celebrate Freedom Day. This is the day 29 years ago that African people gained their liberty from the oppressive Apartheid regime. The question being asked on social media this morning is: Are you really free?
After the French Revolution in 1789, the people demanded liberty, equality, fraternity and freedom of speech and religion. They wanted the class system of nobility and peasants to be abolished, with wealth shared with those who had none.
They wanted all men to be equal, and not some more equal than others. Somehow these expectations are never adequately met in any society. There are always those who become exceedingly wealthy from inheritance and land ownership, who employ others and lord it over them.
Over the centuries nothing has really changed. There are the "Haves" and the "Have Nots" and in this country the inequality is the worst on this planet. The ruling African National Clowns have made the situation much worse over the past 29 years.
We are now known as darkest South Africa as we live with severe rolling blackouts daily, even before the heavy electricity demand of winter has pushed the teetering grid right over the edge. This is not freedom. It is crushing businesses, investment, employment, health, and any normal existence.
Our railways are virtually non-existent. That means goods arriving at our ports have to be carted by road. The roads are riddled with huge potholes which citizens are now (illegally) fixing themselves. Our finances are in a terrible mess.
There is no real freedom for anyone on Earth who lives under the world system, ruled by the cruel Satan that warped this planet, bound humanity in sin and shame, disease and death. He started this in Eden when he turned the first humans away from God.
The only true freedom today is found in Christianity. God created us all equal in the new creation of which Jesus is the firstborn and we are His brethren.
Galatians 3 v 27 - 28: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
In the new creation in which we are baptized into Christ Jesus we lose our independence, our nationality, our human status, our gender, and become one with Him. In lowliness, or humility of mind, we esteem others higher than ourselves.
If there is no nationality neither is there a race issue. If we are one in Christ then the colour of ones skin is not a stigma. Black, white, yellow, red and everything in between are all one and equal by the power of the Blood of Jesus. If we are Christians there is no need for freedom of religion. Religion is a man made form of worship, Christianity is brought forth by God.
The world clamour for human rights on every level, but the Body of Christ has transcended human rights because we are no longer only human. In fact we have gone beyond the stature of Adam, into being part of Jesus, sinless, pure, holy, full of faith, loving, humble, peaceful, joyful and having self control.
Adam had a perfect relationship with God but he did not have the fullness of the Holy Spirit empowering him spiritually. It is the Holy Spirit that enhances us beyond being only human.
Those who are only human, are carnal, sinful, rebellious people who are selfish, unbelieving and full of man's wisdom and philosophy. The churches who try to exist without the full power of the Holy Spirit become very religious, legalistic and traditional, but lack true spirituality. It's all on the soulish, man-pleasing plane which satisfies the flesh for a moment but leaves the spirit of man in darkness.
Becoming a follower of Jesus means leaving our human life at the foot of the Cross and travelling beyond the Cross spiritually to being a citizen of Heaven. When our Earthly life is over, our soul is immediately present with our spirit in Heaven. Absent from the body and present with the Lord.
So why do we strive for liberty and equality? We would have to climb down from our vibrant spiritual life to a worldly state to achieve it, seeing we are already equal to all our brothers and sisters including Jesus. We have true liberty in the Spirit when we are obeying the Lord in order to stay under His protection. It is our fervent desire to do His will.
When we have a different desire then it's we who are slipping by our own will. As citizens of Heaven we are now strangers passing through this Earth like tourists. We are tourists with a purpose though - to show the humans stranded here that they are welcome in our kingdom. Mostly they have only heard bad lies about the kingdom of God so we need to put those false perceptions straight.
These days that is getting harder as the enemy is trying to stamp out true Christianity, and he has turned many churches into social clubs that have no spiritual goals of salvation and inspiration, revelation and expectation of the return of Jesus. They are bound by legalism and traditions which He condemned.
Mark 7 v 6 - 9: "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."
Jesus wants you to know these things in case there are any who believe that belonging to a traditional church and faithfully attending every Sunday without having a personal relationship with Him through being born again, is going to get you to Heaven.
Jesus loves you and wants you with Him for eternity. For true freedom for eternity make sure you are born again and following Jesus the way the disciples of old did. Not all churches walk in His true light so be very sure the place you choose is right in His eyes. Salvation consists of being born again, baptized in water, baptized in the Holy Spirit! Happy Freedom Day!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, suddenly my eyes are open. I want to be born again and become a citizen of Heaven for now and eternity. I seek the true freedom of walking and talking with You.
Fill me with every good thing so I may teach others the way into Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.