Freedom is an experience everyone desires. Possibilities abound for those who are truly free from any form of bondage. This is especially true of believers, Christian ministers, pastors, preachers and leaders. When believers and Christian servants are free, they are able to minister the same freedom to others. But if they are bound up, tied down and oppressed, it would be difficult to make positive impacts on others. The church and their ministry would suffer the attendant consequences.
The Scripture reveals that some people had important positions in the economy of God, but they were not free. Achan was in the great army of God that was poised to take the land of Canaan but he was not free from covetousness. Balaam was a reputable prophet and a confidant of Balaak, king of
Moab but he was not free from covetousness and greed. Cain, first son to be born into this world was bound by the spirit of envy, jealousy and hatred. Demas, a companion of Paul, the apostle who had the privilege of working directly with this great apostle was not free. Felix, noble and excellent governor so-called, heard the gospel directly from the apostle Paul but could not break free from pride. Esau and Jacob were twin-brothers from Isaac; while Jacob was free, Esau was not. Gideon, though a great military man who brought victory and success to Israel, was not free from idolatry. Herod, a king in the Roman Empire and
Ishmael, a descendant of Abraham were not left out from the evil bondage of self and Satan. Judas Iscariot walked and worked with Christ for three-and-a half years, partook of His miracles and maintained the bag, but he was not free. Though Korah, Dathan and Abiram were leaders at the time of Moses, they were deep in rebellion that eventually ruined their lives. Lot and his wife were not free from worldliness; Miriam was guilty of slander and talkativeness. Thomas was plagued by unbelief after he disputed with other disciples that Christ had appeared to them after His resurrection. Uzziah was full of pride and challenged the man of God; he became a leper till the day of his death. Zechariah was a priest under the old covenant but his unbelief in God’s ability to give him a child at old age got him into problem and he became dumb until the child was born.
Greatness does not confer freedom on any individual. It is compulsory that the Christian minister or believer be free if he is going to be a true agent of salvation and deliverance to other people. It is when the pastor is free that the people under his care can be free. If the head is not free, the descendants are going to have the same problem. But when we are free, the Lord will be able to release us to do His will. Moses was free, so he was able to execute the programme of God for the children of Israel. He led the nation out of Egyptian bondage through miracles, signs and wonders. Without total freedom, whatever successes we have will be short-lived. Everyone therefore must strife to be truly free to be able to excel for the Lord.
1.? Freedom From The Burden Of Sin
John 5:14; 8:11; 1 John 3:8,9; 5:18.
Christ came to set mankind free from the burden and bondage of sin. His whole life and ministry were devoted to setting men free from captivity to sin, self, sickness and Satan. If there is any form of freedom that men ought to pursue and possess, it is freedom from sin. “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). Healing and other miracles are good but salvation or freedom from sin towers above them all; it is the greatest miracle ever. It is the first miracle God wants to accomplish in the life of every individual, minister or preacher because if members of the congregation are going to be born again and made free from the power of sin, their ministers or leaders must first be born again. Those still living in sin are not children of God. Jesus Christ was manifested so that He might deliver us from sin and destroy other works of the devil from our lives.
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2.? Freedom From The Bondage Of Satan
1 Chronicles 21:1; Zechariah 3:3,4; 3:1; Luke 22:31.
If it is possible for the devil to have anyone and squeeze out the virtues in them, leaders and pastors would be his top choice. Adam and Eve were the crowns of God’s creation and the devil caused them to fall. David, the best of the kings of Israel could not escape his maleficence as he provoked him to number Israel and brought God’s anger and judgment upon the nation which led to the death of more than seventy thousand Israelites. Job also, a man of integrity, said to be perfect and upright in his generation was a target of the devil; he was attacked and afflicted. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights. As He was about starting His public ministry, the enemy schemed in order to derail Him. Satan would always desire the man at the top. If he is going to have anybody, he would go for the best. Christ forewarned Peter of Satan’s intent to possess and manipulate him. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). The reason Satan always wants to hold the minister or Christian in bondage is to hinder him from the great ministry ahead of him. Every minister, leader or Christian that would be successful in life and ministry and be a mighty instrument in God’s hand must be free from the bondage of Satan.
3.? Freedom From The Bitterness In Your Spirit
Acts 8:21-23; Ezekiel 25:15.
Bitterness hurts the spirit. As long as it lurks in the heart, it brings hatred and disturbs the flow of God’s grace in our lives. Sometimes it manifests in form of Jonah’s attitude towards Nineveh. Jonah harboured bitterness against that city, because they had done evil against Israel and, if they repented, they would not suffer the consequences of their wickedness. He waited for forty days to see what would become of Nineveh but the people repented and averted God’s wrath. He was angry. The spirit of bitterness would not allow him to rejoice in the repentance of the people of Nineveh. God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts; therefore, He wants us to jettison the old hatred and bitterness against our neighbours, friends and acquaintances. Every Christian believer must pray to be purged from bitterness in the heart and seek God’s ultimate freedom. It is only then we would be totally free to serve God and impact other lives positively.
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