I Am Free. FREE. FREE!

Read |Romans 8: 1 - 4; Romans 3: 21 - 26; Isaiah 54: 11|

This summer I found myself whisked away into the reimagined world of the famous orphan, Anne Shirley, in the Netflix series, "Anne with an E". In season 1, episode 2, "I Am No Bird, and No Net Ensnares Me", we find Anne running from her unwitting home with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.  She takes flight because Marilla has threatened her return to the orphanage on account of stealing her prized broach. Anne is innocent. But unable to convince Marilla of this truth, she takes matters into her own hands and flees. 

Prior to this incident we get a glimpse into Anne's psyche, when she goes to meet the highly esteemed Mrs. Barry. Marilla, struggling with her own self worth, wastes no time highlighting the significance of being accepted by the Barry family. As they approach the family, Marilla notes how strange Anne is--that she is not quite herself. Anne responds, "perfect". Anne is a girl who has come to fear the embrace of her authentic person because she has learned from many others that she is not good at all. She fears granting herself a breath of fresh air. And in some ways it appears that she counts it an act of divine justice to deny herself room to be. She grows competent--excellent even--at the art of presentation. She is gifted with a beautiful mind and sharp intellect. And she uses this gift to win favor. Every stroke of brilliance that emerges from her is reduced to an apology for the "fact" of her wrongness.

Anne and I used to have a lot in common. But, one day when the shame and weight of apologizing became too great, Jesus showed up. He showed up in a most unprecedented way and cultivated in my wilderness a hunger so profound it brought me to feast on the Word. Oh, it is true what He says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 32, NIV).

Each morsel grew my appetite for more. And when I hit Romans 8: 1 - 4, NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

And Romans 3: 21 - 26, NIV

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith inJesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

And Isaiah 54: 11, NIV

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

The pangs of my soul, born of the lies that filled the spaces where I had not sown the truth of God's Word, ceased. God had spoken and my soul found its rest in amen. God said, I am made right with Him through having faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. God said, I am free from the penalty of sin because I carry His very righteousness in Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ you can be assured that your sins--past, present and future--are covered under the blood. Beloved, you are forgiven. Beloved, you are accepted. You are not a bird, and no net ensnares you. You are a daughter of the Most High God. You are free from sin's penalty and you are free to run into His arms and be-held in His love continually. Free. FREE. FREE!