Freedom In Jesus Christ
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
This is one of many passages that the Lord/YWHW is emphasizing the free and uninhibited access we have with Him at all times AND no need for formalities to approach Him or live before Him. The thief on the cross next to Jesus had no time to get baptized, to use any formalities, he couldn't kneel or pay any pentance. He was accepted just as he was into paradise with Jesus that day (read it here).
The Old Testament is full of type and shadow. This is a phrase that describes the things that God did and instructed His people, the Israelites to do, to give them a visual picture of things that were to happen hundreds or thousands of years later, but would be passed down through the generations as a reminder until that day was to come. One of those things, for example, is that God instructed them to have a High Priest. That was a man that is in charge of all the other priests that took turns serving in the temple of God
. He also is the only one that had full access to God, but it was only once a year. He had to go behind a veil (a thick curtain) so no one else could see or hear the conversation the High Priest was having with God Almighty/YHWH. Jesus, in heaven, is now our High Priest--speaking to God, the Father, on our behalf. As you read in the passage above in Luke 23 the huge, thick, tall veil in the temple was ripped in half from top to bottom by God when Jesus died on the cross. This was to show everyone that we all now have free access to God--that we no longer have need of a middle-man to speak to God on our behalf. YOU have full, free access to your Maker and Savior, Jesus Christ!! This section of Scripture is not an isolated place to see these facts discussed. The book of Romans is a great place to read and learn more about your freedom/liberty. This was, and still is, a huge topic of discussion because man always gravitates toward wanting to feel deserving for his/her gifts from their holy Lord. Remember the thief on the cross. He was neither deserving nor had time to be formal in any way before entering paradise with Jesus. Talk with Jesus/YHWH like you talk with your Earthly friend. Jesus/YHWH is your BFF. He knows what you are like to the core. He knows what you are thinking all the time. He loves you . . . right now and always. Once you put your trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, enjoy your freedom/liberty. Enjoy your BFF. To read more great commentary on this Biblical passage click here.
