By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Set the Captives Free

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

Freedom and autonomy are used interchangeably at times, but I recently looked up the definition of autonomy and realized I’ve been using it in the wrong context.

Autonomy: self-directing freedom and especially moral independence
Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Autonomy is about self and how I decide I want to live. Freedom is rooted in God, with the Holy Spirit being the moral compass.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 English Standard Version

What is the point of freedom, though? And what is freedom? And why is freedom important?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,” Isaiah 61:1 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.'” Exodus 9:1 ESV

Setting the captives free is the heartbeat of God’s message, throbbing for the world to take notice that this is possible. In particular, the two verses above were written pre-Jesus, before the Holy Spirit was unleashed.

What defines freedom? It would be the opposite of bondage. Jesus came to Earth to reclaim what had been stolen and give everyone the opportunity to experience freedom in God. The invitation has been sent to every single person but not all will accept.

The attached song embodies freedom. Take a listen, maybe it will set you free in some way.

They say, “Let’s break the chains that hold us back and throw off the ropes that tie us down.”
Psalm 2:3 New Century Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado