You Have Been Set Free: Now Leave The Cage

Read This: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)

Think: Life doesn’t feel like warfare very often. I wake up and go about my daily routine with few surprises. But when I stop and think about all that’s at stake, and all that God has done, I’m humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude that I’ve been set free. At the same time, I’m burdened for those still lost and blind in their sin.

I read a quote once that said, “The devil’s cleverest ploy is to convince us he doesn’t exist.” And he does a good job of that. Satan wants us to be blind in our sin and the cage it traps us in. He is the great deceiver, and he is on a mission to destroy us. He wants us to think we have it figured out without God—that our way, which is really his way, is better. But let’s never for a moment forget that he is God’s enemy and he hates us. How does a little boy catch a bird in a field? Carefully, cautiously, methodically. 1 Peter 5:8 describes Satan as a lion on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Every human downfall is a victory for him.

But God loves us too much to let us stay in a cage without a way out. We might think we’re happy there, but our Creator knows better; he made us to live free. And when we sabotaged our freedom by choosing to sin, he had compassion on us and paid the highest price so we could be free again. Even for those who aren’t very familiar with the Bible or particularly good at memorizing scripture, there’s a good chance you know John 3:16. It’s the very core of what the Bible is about—God loves us so much that he let his own son take the punishment for our sins so we could be with him.

What would it look like if each and every single person on the planet knew in the bottom of his heart how much God loves us? What if we all understood that he loved us before we knew him, not because of anything we have done or will ever do, but just because that’s who he is . . . Maybe we wouldn’t work so hard for other people’s approval. Or maybe we take more risks in our walk with God. Maybe we’d love each other better. And maybe we’d finally trust that the only way to freedom is through him.

Ask: It’s not always easy to claim our victory through Christ over sin. Do you ever find yourself struggling to leave the birdcage in some areas?

Pray: Spend some time just praising God and thanking him for loving us enough to pay for our freedom.