By Ryan Shaw
There may be no greater need in the body of Christ today then individual believers understanding how to get free and live free from bondage and spiritual oppression.
Part of our “inheritance” in Christ is living without “strings attached” from our former lives. These “strings” contribute to addictions, prolonged emotional depression, paralyzing fear and a host of other debilitating problems.
Many go through life and ministry enduring intensely painful personal situations and circumstances. These can be minimized as we learn to take a stand using Jesus authority against the onslaught of spiritual darkness.
This does not happen, however, all by itself. It is a spiritual requirement that we cooperate with God in getting free and living free from bondage. God has already done all the work necessary for people to walk in perfect freedom. We, however, need to apply this work to our personal experiences and circumstances.
How do we move forward with living in such freedom? We experientially apply the twin truths that we are both fully “in Christ,” and Christ is fully in us.
The nature of true Christianity is that it motivates believers to receive from God. Our inheritance is not in what we do for God, but in what we enter into through what He has already made possible through historical fact.Galatians tells us we are heirs with Christ. We enter into that inheritance with Him through His work. This transpires as we take the posture of one who accepts it as a child and receives with open arms.
First, we have been fully placed in Christ. Because of our position in Jesus (as a born again believers) we are recipients of all He endured. When Jesus was put to death, we died with Him because we are in Him. But Jesus’ work did not finish there. He was buried, resurrected and ascended to the right hand of the Father.
Because we are in Christ we have also been raised to life in Jesus. The reality of our death in Christ and subsequent resurrection enables us to live in triumphant victory over sin just as He has. This is not mere doctrine, but meant to be applied experientially as the way to get free and remain free from bondage and spiritual oppression. How do we attain such an inheritance? We simply receive it as already ours.
Second, Christ is fully in us. Christ in me gives me His power. Jesus’ life, actively emanating through us, is the only life which gives us the capacity to overcome bondage and oppression. This doesn’t come about, however, by merely gritting my teeth and trying harder to get free from bondage.
This is self-effort trying to be holy and ultimately fails leaving us feeling hopeless. Instead we believe these truths in our heart, declare them with our mouths and affirm them (over and over) in the midst of temptation. We receive God’s power in the moment of need.
We find here the essence of the Good News of the gospel. Jesus saves, initially from eternal separation from Him, and then throughout my life, by overcoming sin as He roots it out of me making me holy (the process of sanctification).
This being set free and overcoming is made possible because of the facts of Jesus’ death, resurrection and utter defeat of death, and the believer subsequently standing upon these truths. In doing so we declare that the demonic influences have to go from oppressing our lives, ministries, families, physical bodies, finances, mental conditions and more.
Maintaining freedom over a lifetime requires a commitment to develop a deepened root system in God.
This includes returning to the basics of our faith
• A consistent devotional life in the Word
• A faithful and growing prayer and worship life
• Embracing the crucified life
• Returning to our first love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
