Freedom is Free Indeed

by John Tilton on July 04, 2022

Scripture

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Observation

I love how succinct God’s Word is that Jesus is the way by which the Lord speaks to us through His word and His testimony therein; that Jesus inherited ALL from the Father, of which the whole universe was made through and for Him. To also know that Jesus is the exact being of God and that it is in His radiance that He came to sacrifice His life for us, and that He is all knowing, all seeing, all-controlling, all-loving, and all-saving.

Application

On this July 4th, where we celebrate the independence and freedom of the United States of America; the true and eternal freedom is ours by way of receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To know that our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of the universe, would come down in all His radiance, creation, power, and glory in sacrifice to save each and every one of us. It’s pretty mind-blowing if you think about the price paid for our freedom. The price that was paid bankrupted heaven, through the sacrifice of God’s one and only son. He gave His life for yours and my sins that we would be FREE ETERNALLY. There’s a saying that “Freedom is Never Free.” However, freedom indeed is free for us; due to the price Jesus paid in sacrifice. Freedom is free because we paid nothing for eternal life in Christ. Instead, Jesus paid the price for all of us. We get to the eternal gift of freedom free-of-cost.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, THANK YOU THAT YOU CAME to die on the cross that I might have freedom and life everlasting. I turn to you, I love you, I am thankful for you, and I live through your love and for you in your ways. Thank you for the FREEDOM that is always FREE due to what you did! On this July 4th, I celebrate and honor Jesus Christ for the FREEDOM I have in and through Him.

READ TODAY'S DEVOTIONS

About the Author

John Tilton

Senior Pastor John Tilton has served at New Hope Oahu since it’s launch in 1995, and has been on staff in administration and as executive pastor for the past 14 years. The values and heart behind New Hope run deeply through Pastor John’s veins as he has trained, learned, and was mentored closely by Pastor Wayne.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Pastor John holds his Masters in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College & Capital Seminary. He has served in various leadership, mentorship, and advisory roles in ministry and in the marketplace. He currently serves as Vice President of New Hope International and is on the Board of Directors of both Pacific Rim Christian University and New Hope Christian College.

Pastor John is married to his amazing wife Lanu, is father to his son Ikaika, daughter Malie, son-in-law Noni, is Papa to his grandchildren Justice, Johanna, and Jordynn, all of whom serve in ministry as a family together at New Hope Oahu.

Pastor John’s heart is to love and shepherd the people of New Hope Oahu––both here on Oahu and globally across the world. He will seek to continue to develop leaders, enable people here to dream with vision and purpose for God’s unique call on their lives, and, most importantly, to seek God as He faithfully guides our church so that we can fully become the church, and the people, He has created and called us to be.