Freed From Tyranny

He made a mistake, a big one. So.  He did not know what to do, giving up, losing his way in one day.  It wasn't just an off day, but a day of regret.  While he did not know at the time, regret would weigh him down for years.   Religion made him feel increasingly guilty.  Nothing seemed to relieve the load he carried each day, all day.  

Then . . . he met Christ . . . and surrendered it all . . . finding his way in one day.  There are many differences between religion and having a relationship with Christ, one being that in Christ we are not condemned . . . but . . . convicted of our need for Him.  In Christ, the point, is not your mistake, though it might be a big one, almost more than a person can possibly bear, but that you can be freed from the power of the mistake, becoming new, living without condemnation through the power of the life-giving Spirit.

Consider. 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (Romans 8: 1-2, NLT).

Condemnation oppresses, weakens, and destroys the gift of life, creating a void, emptiness, and darkness that tyrannizes the mind and heart.  God has made a way to be released from the power of the "tyrant."  It is natural to become accustomed to the tyrant's presence, so much so, that it is attached firmly to our life, ruling the way we think and act.  So.  Freedom comes through intentionally surrendering everything, including, not excluding, our personal condemnation.  Quite frankly, we are not strong enough to loosen its grip by ourselves, we need the strength of the Spirit of God.  To surrender, we need to become aware of what has attached to our life and then intentionally, sometimes piece by piece, let it go through the power of the Spirit of God.  
Begin by focusing on one thing, which tyrannizes the way you think and act, producing an underlying anxiety, stress, or shame.  What would life be like if you were free from it?  How would you live?  Surrender it.  Live the way you would live if you were free from its controlling rule . . . thinking, speaking, and acting in a healthy manner . . . with the belief God has removed its power over you.

When we finally become free of the tyrant, it is unforgettable, as we experience the purity of God's grace removing what does not belong in our life, freeing us from the weight of the past, opening the door to experience the fullness of life through the power of Christ. 

Throughout the day, especially when you find yourself "walking" back towards the tyrant's rule, remember to intentionally "walk" forward in freedom through the Spirit.  Surrender whatever is pulling and pushing you to go backwards through the strength of the Spirit of God. Be freed of the tyranny of condemnation in your life. Refuse to let any tyrant from the stuff of life grip you. In Christ, no one and nothing can have you, not even the biggest mistake.

Learning to Kickstart the day freed from tyranny,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)