“True Freedom …” (July 2020 Update)
Freedom means different things to different people. To some, freedom means having no restraints and no responsibilities. But this is not true freedom. Real freedom always includes limits and responsibilities. If freedom meant no restraints, then everyone’s freedom would take away freedom from others. Still others think freedom means having no accountability. It means being able to do whatever you want without any consequences. This is also not true freedom. Freedom without accountability always results in anarchy and anarchy always backlashes into totalitarianism – eventually taking away all previous freedoms. True freedom has consequences, responsibilities and restraints.
In his State of the Union address in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt articulated his view of what the world needed in calling for Four Freedoms that were essential for every human being – Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. His speech was a call for Americans to recognize that such freedoms could only be possible in a democracy. It was a warning that the growing forces of Nazism and Communism would always seek to reduce and eliminate these freedoms. It was a reminder that people came to the United States seeking freedoms that they were denied in their homelands. It was a reminder that the very foundation of American life is rooted and grounded in freedom.
But there are some freedoms that are even more important than the ones outlined by President Roosevelt. All of Roosevelt’s freedoms can be taken away from us. That’s why we fought against Japan and Nazi Germany in the 1940s. That’s why America has stood for freedom against the Soviet Union during the years of the Cold War. That’s why the United States continues to stand against socialism and anarchism and other forms of oppression even today.
In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul reminds us that all believers have Four Spiritual Freedoms that can never be taken away from us!
First, believers have freedom from Condemnation. This is the most important freedom because sin and judgment is our greatest problem. In Romans 8:1, Paul tells us that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is because all of our sins have been paid for by Jesus. If you committed a crime and someone paid that fine for you, then you cannot be convicted for that crime again. This does not mean that we are not sinners. It does not mean we are perfect. It means we are forgiven. It means that Jesus paid our debt in full – there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! John 5:24 also reminds us of this truth: “Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever hears my words and believes on him who sent me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation …. The freedom from condemnation that Jesus gives can never be taken away!
Second, we have freedom from Emptiness. When a person trusts Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to take up residence in his life. (Romans 8:9 reminds us that all believers have the Holy Spirit residing in them: “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him”). Because of this, the Spirit within us makes us righteous before the Lord (Romans 8:10) and gives us the promise of future resurrection (Romans 8:11). Why? Simply because His Spirit now lives in you. But that’s not all, His Spirit in us gives us the power to defeat sin in our lives (Romans 8:12-13), makes us God’s children (Romans 8:14, 16), and sets us free from the spirit of fear (Romans 8:15). We may feel empty at times, but as believers, we will always have His Spirit dwelling within us crying out “Abba, Father.” We need never feel empty or abandoned again! That’s real freedom!
Third, believers have freedom from Discouragement– even from suffering. Ever believer faces suffering – some more than others. But when we suffer, we know that “all things work together for good to those that are called according to His purpose.” In Romans 8:17-30, Paul reminds us that suffering is universal (“all creation groans”) – everyone suffers and even all of creation suffers with us. But we do not need to be discouraged. God has given us His Spirit and the Spirit groans with us in our suffering. But that is not all, even in our suffering, God has a purpose (Romans 8:29) – to conform us to the image of His son. And His Spirit comes alongside us and prays for us in words that are deeper than even our hearts understand. We may experience difficulties, hardships and even suffering and persecution, but God is working in all and through all for our good. That’s encouraging news – that’s freedom that can never be taken from us as long as we remember God’s presence with us and purpose for us in times of suffering.
Finally, we have freedom from Separation. Paul wraps up his reminders about the freedoms we have in Christ by reminding us that “nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In verse 38-39, Paul gives a comprehensive list of things in life that might try to separate us from the Lord – “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers,[aq] nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation.” In the verses before this, he even reminds us that even if we are “led like sheep all day long to the slaughter,” we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Many situations, crises and people might try to separate us from the Lord, but in Christ, we have freedom from separation!
Every 4th of July, Americans gather to celebrate freedom. But as we celebrate our freedom in America, we need to never forget that freedom came with great cost and sacrifice. All the signers of the Declaration of Independence put their lives on the line for our freedom – many lost homes and family and even their lives. Throughout our history, Americans have been willing to sacrifice so that the freedoms they love could be experienced by others in the world too.
As believers, we need to remember that our spiritual freedoms also did not come without sacrifice. Whenever we think about freedom, we should remember that Jesus came for one reason – to give his life as a ransom for many. He paid the ultimate sacrifice – not just death on a cross but taking our sins upon himself! He did so that we might be free forever. So, on July 4th, we praise God for the freedoms we have in America, but we need to realize that those can be taken away from us by one election cycle or culture change. But what we have in Christ can never be taken away from us. And that is true freedom!
Teaching …
I finally finished teaching my spring classes and completing the grades. Now I’m hurrying to get classes ready for the fall. We still don’t know for sure whether classes in the fall will be in-class or online yet. But we have been told to prepare for online classes since Ukraine still has some quarantine and since cases seem to continue increasing. So I will need to start working on the classes for the fall because of the extra time involved. I need to have everything done before August so everything can be translated too. And I have 3 classes in the first 6 weeks of school! So, summer should be a busy time for me. Please be praying that I can get my classes completed and to the translator so classes will be ready for this fall.
Time with Family …
The weather here has finally warmed up and we are enjoying the best time of year in Ukraine! We have nice warm days (upper 80s) and nice cool nights. This means we can cook out and the girls get to spend a lot of time outdoors.
We have also been able to take bike rides in a nearby national park and enjoy the flowers and the lakes. And, of course, to have a picnic together! And our town has installed some water fountains for kids to play in – what a great relief for summer heat!
Summer also means the return of fresh vegetables and fruits. We have lots of salads and radishes and peas right now. Our vegetable garden is a little behind schedule because we had a cooler than usual spring. Hopefully, we will have tomatoes and green beans and cucumbers by the end of July or early August.
Our fruit season has also begun. We have harvested strawberries and sweet cherries. Sour cherries are starting to ripen, and it looks like raspberries will here too by August. We are canning and eating and enjoying the “fruits” of God’s creation!
We also finally got to go to a restaurant! It has been nearly 5 months since we have been at a restaurant, so it felt really special to be able to get out together and eat at a restaurant. And, because of the quarantine, Katya’s mom and grandmother have been spending more time with us. The girls are enjoying helping the grandmas make traditional Ukrainian dishes!
We finished reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The girls love Narnia and even spend much of their playtime being Edmund or Peter or Lucy or Susan. We continue to love the spiritual themes that they are learning as we read and talk about the adventures in Narnia! We are taking a short break from school, but we continue to do some fun reading and math games together, so they don’t forget what they have learned.
Travel …
We had hoped that we might be able to return to the states for a visit this fall but the continuing uncertainty with the Covid-19 virus means that it will probably be another year before we can return for a visit. It is possible to travel now as some restrictions have been lifted, but there are too many uncertainties with the need to quarantine for 14 days in many of the countries we would need to travel through. So it looks like it will be at least another year before we can come back to visit. We are grateful for Skype and other social media that help us to keep in touch with family and friends!
My Health …
My health improved a lot this past month. Before I was struggling to walk short distances and I had to sleep/rest most of the day, only getting up to work for a few hours at a time. But things improved last month so that I am able to walk longer distances now without too much difficulty. My blood pressure has stabilized but I have BP spikes that we cannot figure out. The doctors are decreasing my meds each week and it will be good to be off most of the medications in a few more months.
I have developed another problem – neuropathy in my feet and hands. The tests show that these are caused by degeneration (osteochondrosis). I have cubital tunnel syndrome in both arms (the left is worse) and some pinching in my spine that is causing the problem in my feet. I am doing various types of physical therapy and seeing some improvement. The problem is frustrating but, in general, it does not seem dangerous like the heart issues. Thank you for praying for me and my health!
Grateful for Provisions …
We continue to be amazed by God’s goodness to us in these times. Last month, we received another large gift that helped us tremendously. But we are still praying about adding 2-3 new families to our monthly support team. We have had a couple of regular supporters who needed to stop or reduce giving due to family and work situations that has reduced our regular monthly support. So, we continue to pray that God will continue to supply “all our needs according to His riches in glory!”
Pray for Ukraine … and America
Please continue to pray for Ukraine. The war in the East still continues and Russia is constantly building up its forces in Crimea and all around the borders of Ukraine. We never know what will be happening with Russia. But we are also praying for the United States. Right now, the US is experiencing a crisis of freedom. All four of Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms are being questioned and could be dramatically reduced or lost. We are praying that the Lord will protect our nation and open eyes of Americans to see that, even with its problems, no country compares with the USA in terms of freedom. We pray that American freedoms will not only continue but will grow through these trying times. We give thanks for America and for God’s hand on our nation!
Thank you for praying for us and for your support! As someone who grew up during the Cold War, I am constantly thankful that Ukraine is no longer under Soviet control and that many, many freedoms are returning to Ukraine – especially spiritual freedom!
By His Grace,
Jim. Katya, Kristina and Nadia
Teaching Resources International 