Freedom — something that humans have continually longed for throughout history.  Countless wars have been fought, and lives have been taken to experience the freedom of oppression that has held millions captive for so long.  America even considers itself the “land of the free.”  Our present culture has exchanged the word freedom for personal independence. This independence tells us to make our own decisions and to choose our own path in life.  We can do whatever we want, whenever we want!  The truth is, this is not the Biblical freedom that Jesus gives.  God knows that this type of freedom may be what we desire in our sinful nature, but it is not what we need.  Just as fences are used as boundaries to protect those inside, God’s freedom uses principles in life to protect us from what will hurt us.  

Consider premarital sex; greed; and alcohol, drug, and pornography addictions.  Our culture promotes that teenagers do these things because they are fun, and we have the “freedom” to do so.  What is not understood, is that all of these things lead to disease, debt, financial ruin, and ultimately wrecked lives and relationships, none of which are “fun.”  

In Luke 4:18, Jesus tells those who are in the synagogue at Nazareth that He has been anointed to “set the oppressed free”.  in John 8:32, He also tells those who believe in Him, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” — Jesus did not set us free to do whatever we want; He set us free to be able to do what we need.  

Before we were set free by Jesus, we were enslaved by the shackles of sin.  Sin denied us our freedom to have the relationship with Christ that our souls require.  We are under the power and control of this lifestyle and can never break free or escape without Christ.  As we submit to Christ, sin immediately loses its power over us.  Guilt disappears, and peace takes over.  This year at Teen Revolution, find out what it means to experience true freedom found in Jesus Christ!  Come find out how it feels to be FREE!!!