“True Freedom …” (July 2024 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. Every 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, 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 our 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, American soldiers 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 and Ministry …
Last month, we completed our class on Research and Writing at Kyiv Theological Seminary. We are currently finishing up grading all the papers. The feedback from students was very positive. Many said that this class was one of the hardest they have taken but also one of the most helpful. I appreciated that many of the final papers dealt with topics related to ministry during a time of war. It shows that the students are actively applying what they are learning to their situations.
This week, I will be in Sarasota, Florida for the GlobalServe International (GSI) new missionary orientation. We are sending out about 25 new families! All of these will be heading to countries that are officially closed to missionaries. I am looking forward to meeting these new missionaries and getting to know them. I will be helping GSI with missionary care and training, so this is an important conference for me. Be praying for me as I try to see how the Lord can use us in training and caring for missionaries who are working in very difficult environments.
Even though my time is short, I decided to audit a Greek exegesis class from Southern Seminary in July. It is an online class covering the book of Jude. I’m enjoying getting back into using my Greek and looking forward to studying the book of Jude. I won’t have time for all the assignments, but I think it will still be a joy to work through the Book of Jude.
Time with Family …
May, June and July could be characterized as hospitality months! In early May, we began hosting a few families that were passing through the area and needed a place to stay. Then in mid-May, Katya’s mom came to be with us for 3 weeks. She left on a Thursday, and Joel and Ally and their family arrived to spend 3 weeks with us (they just left Tuesday). The week of 4th of July, Joy and Aimee came to join us and stayed with us until July 5th. Sean, Meredith and their kids came and joined us nearly every day during the 3 weeks that Joel was with us. At times, we were hosting as many as 16 people! But it was a great joy for all of us to be together. And we built this house so that we could be more involved in hospitality.
In June, we joined friends from Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in NLR on a float trip on the Buffalo River. Because it was so far from us in Fayetteville, we decided to camp at the landing for 3 days. The river was great for floating and for swimming. And we loved being able to camp and cookout. We especially loved being able to take Katya’s mom with us – she loves kayaking and camping!
In June, Sean and I worked on getting the front and back decks on the house. We completed the back deck just before Joel and Ally arrived. We finished the front deck while they were here. Most days, we worked from daylight until after dark. Needless to say, we were exhausted, but we still had time to spend with family on the Fourth and many other days.
We also got to enjoy multiple fireworks displays. First, on Sunday night, we went to a little church down the road from us to enjoy a relaxed fireworks display. Then we decided to stay home and have our own fireworks at the house. We got an extra surprise by being able to see some distant fireworks from our house too (we are on a mountain above Fayetteville and Springdale).
Pray for Ukraine …
Please keep Ukraine in your prayers. The news does not give many updates, but things continue to be very difficult. Even during our class meetings, students had to deal with electric blackouts that hindered their internet connections. Russia continues to destroy Ukraine’s energy and heating centers. This coming winter could be very difficult for Ukraine if Russia continues to target these energy sectors.
Also, pray for our students. Some are serving in the military, and all are helping to minister through humanitarian efforts. The war has opened many avenues for sharing the gospel and the love of Christ. Please pray that their efforts will produce fruit for eternal life!
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, even though there is an on-going war fight now, Ukraine is free from Russian domination. And I rejoice that many, many freedoms have returned to Ukraine – especially spiritual freedom!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya, Kristina and Nadia
If you missed previous updates or just want to read some short theological reflections, you can find these at our website at https://teachingresources.org/ .
Also, some have asked about how to support us. You can send checks to Teaching Resources International, PO Box 100, Goshen, AR 72735 (note: new address) or pay through PayPal on our website. Just put “#1000 Ehrhard” in the memo so our treasurer knows where to allocate the funds.
Some have also asked about our personal address now that we are in the states. Our new address is 14680 Magnolia Ridge, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Teaching Resources International 