With Memorial Day celebrated earlier in the week, we are reminded of the ongoing sacrifice made for freedom. When you stop and think about it, freedom is an amazing concept that plays out in many different areas of life…including sports. 

As I recently watched the Warriors beat the Thunder, there was discussion about Andre Iguodala picking Golden State over other teams when he was a free agent. He was quoted as saying, “You can tell they play with joy and freedom.” When you see Curry and Thompson freely take shots all over the floor, this definitely rings true.
 
Quarterbacks also desire freedom to call their own plays or audibles. Ryan Tannehill recently expressed his excitement about Adam Gase taking over as the new head coach of the Dolphins: “Being on the line of scrimmage adjusting, whether it’s protections, routes, a whole new play — there’s a lot of freedom in what we do.”

Having freedom is wonderful as Americans and in the world of sports, but our ultimate freedom is found in the powerful work of Jesus on the cross. The Bible says in Romans 8:2, “For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Thankfully Jesus has freed us from the punishment of sin, and because of His sacrifice, we are free from earning our way to heaven. We rest in the work that has already been done by Jesus. John 8:36 tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
 
Also, through His power we can be free from the sins that have a grip on us. By fully relying on His grace, we don’t have to live trapped in our sin. Instead, the cross allows us to live with freedom and forgiveness. 

We are promised in Romans 3:24 (NLT): “Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Today, let’s take a deep breath and recognize the incredible freedom that is readily available to all who receive it. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom You’ve provided me through Jesus. Help me to live and rest in that freedom, and remember I don’t have to earn Your grace, but that it’s been given freely to me through the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus. Please give me strength to continue to find freedom from the sin that trips me up. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.