August 01,2025
FREEDOM IN THE SPIRIT
II Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Let us have the true freedom given by the Spirit of the Lord as we are celebrating Independence Day. Our God is the Spirit of the Lord, and this verse gives a beautiful description and clear identity to the Holy Spirit: “Now the Lord is the Spirit”...
In the New Testament, Paul describes the Holy Spirit, not as an influence, but as God Himself, one with the Father and the Son. When we believe in Him, He does great, mighty, and supernatural things in our lives.
John 14:16–17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascends to heaven, the Holy Spirit will come and take control. Looking in the Old Testament, we could see that the Holy Spirit comes and goes back; but after the Pentecostal day, the Holy Spirit dwells with us. The Holy Spirit represents the active presence of the risen Christ in our lives.
Romans 8:9
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
Our flesh represents living under the influence of sinful nature, the nature that has self-will, rebellion, and human effort. When we live under the control of the Holy Spirit, we will be yielded, obedient, and transformed; as these are the nature of the Holy Spirit who controls and transforms us from our old nature.
Let’s meditate on the works of the Holy Spirit
THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
II Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
When we began this service, our dear pastor said, “Even as we enter and sit over here, we can feel the presence of God.” It’s true that the presence of God is present in us and it does mighty things in our lives. The Holy Spirit dwells among the people who believe and honor Him. The Holy Spirit’s presence gives us power, direction, and control over our lives continuously. The presence of the Holy Spirit comforts us and lifts us up instead of drowning us in grief.
I Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Paul confirms that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and He dwells in us.
Once there was a church service going on, and there were two people fighting outside the church. Then there came another person who informed these two people that there was a communion service going to take place. Immediately, these people gave a break to their fighting and went into the church to take part in the communion. They planned to continue their fight after the communion service. According to their belief, the Holy Spirit dwells only in church.
In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in the tabernacle and in the temple, but now our bodies have become the temple of God and His dwelling place. This becomes a sacred identity and a holy responsibility.
Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
From the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit continues to dwell with us. The Holy Spirit fills them completely, not partially or symbolically. The Holy Spirit living in us is not only a momentary experience, but He dwells within us and leads us every minute of our lives.
THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
II Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
The Holy Spirit’s power gives complete liberty and freedom: “...there is liberty.” The Holy Spirit is the one who frees us. God sets us free in multiple ways. Let’s see four things from which God gives freedom:
FREEDOM FROM SIN AND DEATH
Sin leads us to death, and the freedom from the Holy Spirit prevents us from death. Freedom isn't a license to sin, but it’s a call to walk by the Spirit. This world is filled with sin, but we should hold onto the hands of God and walk. To hold onto God, we need to have the key or significant experience of submitting each day to the Spirit of God. The Spirit of the Lord empowers us to fulfill God’s will joyfully; an authority God gives us to fulfill His plans joyfully.
FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
We need to believe that our God has washed us and cleansed us from our sins by His blood. Satan might bring up doubtful thoughts in a situation where we doubt that our past actions have led us to this consequence—Karma. But our Holy Spirit gives freedom from condemnation. After judgment, criminals used to cover their faces as they couldn’t bear the condemnation. Our Holy Spirit does not condemn us but He convicts us to grow. Living under guilt? Come to Jesus and step into the “No Condemnation Zone.” We should be happy if we are hearing a voice of conviction.
FREEDOM TO WORSHIP AND SERVE
John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
When we gather as a family at home or at church, we have the Holy Spirit amidst us. Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” After gathering, if we invite God, it might be wrong theologically, as God is already present amidst us.
Worship must align with the truth of Scripture and the reality of Christ. I desire that in every worship and in every song, the name of Jesus should be present, because we only get deliverance when we pronounce and declare His name: Jesus.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus is the truth, and He should be the center of focus in our worship.
FREEDOM TO BE TRANSFORMED
II Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The word “transformation” has a Greek origin and it's called ‘‘Metamorphoo’’, a word that implies deep inner change.
Those days, we had a long queue to get water. People in the line were so hasty and rushed. There was a faithful sister who came to church early and regularly. While standing in the line, she took her pot and kicked all the other pots in the line and kept hers first. This transformation isn’t the right transformation. Looking at our behavior, others should give way for us to get the water. Not a change in dress or behavior modification, but heart-level transformation. When there is an inner change, everything changes. If our bodies are the temple of God, definitely we will be a people who are changed and transformed in the inner man.
THE RESULT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
The Spirit of the Lord heals, restores, and empowers believers. Where the Spirit is welcomed, revival comes, chains are broken, and hearts are renewed.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
When the Holy Spirit is upon us, all these works continue to go along with us. Worship invites the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is important to build the altar at home as a family.
Acts 16:25–26
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
When Paul and Silas praised God in prison, the power of God shook the earth. The power of the Spirit descends when we praise and worship Him; our inner man will be shaken. Doors opened without keys, and chains fell without force when the Holy Spirit dwells among us.
-Pastor S.Visuvasam
Faith ACA pallavaram
