"The Keys To Freedom"

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 16:19a 

A few days ago, we talked about Jesus having the authority to set us free from the prison/bondage of sin. Once He sets us free, we are free indeed. But we have an adversary who is continually trying to put us into bondage/prison again. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. 

 

He tries to make us a captive to condemnation, shame and guilt over the mistakes that we make. He tries to put us in a prison of bitterness. He wants to bind us up in bitterness because things didn't go the way we had planned. He wants to put us in a prison of unforgiveness-- unforgiveness toward someone who did us wrong. He tries to put us in a prison of fear- fear of failure, fear of people, fear of the unknown. There are many emotional and spiritual prisons that he tries to make us a captive to.

 

Not only has Jesus set us free from the prison of sin, but He has provided freedom from every one of the prisons the enemy/devil tries to put us in. There was a television program that I used to watch when I was growing up-- The Andy Griffith show. At the sheriff's office they had two jail cells. Between the two cells there was a peg on the wall that held the keys to the cells. Any prisoner could easily reach the keys and unlock his cell. (Otis the town drunk did this often and let himself out when he was ready to leave.) 

 

When we find ourselves in these prisons, Jesus has placed the keys- not only in reach- but He has placed them in our hands. We have been given the keys that unlock the prison doors. (The key of His word, His promises, His presence, the power of His Holy Spirit, prayer, and repentance.) Therefore, we are free indeed. Free from the prison of sin we were born in and free from the prisons that the enemy tries to put us in. 

 

If you are in a prison this morning, why? You can get out. Like on the television program, the keys are right there. They are within easy access. Jesus placed them in your hands and wants you to use them. You do not have to stay a prisoner any longer-- Jesus frees us from all prisons. Whoever Jesus sets free is free indeed.

 

Have a great day. Jesus sets the captive free and then He gives them the keys to the prison so they can stay free.

 

For further reading:

Romans 3:23

John 10:10; 8:36
Isaiah 22:22