Do you want freedom from the prison you are in? Whether it is a structural, physical or emotional prison that you find yourself in. There are three keys to freedom. Before I reveal the Keys to your permanent freedom, we will look at the sources of your prison - albeit of the structural, physical or emotional type. First we shall discuss two types of physical prisons and then we will look at the emotional prisons. The
Prisons The prisons we are in, albeit the mind, body or structural, come to us by the decisions we or others have made that affect our lives, by birth by illness or by tragedy. These prisons we are in are of the world and of the mind, not of God. As you will see there are different types of prisons that we find ourselves in.
I. The Structural Prison
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There are two types of structural prisons that we can find outselves in. They are:
a. The Structural prison can be a Penitentiary for you if you have commited a crime that has gotten you there. Like it or not, it was your own actions that got you there in the first place. Granted there are some that are falsely accused and sentenced there.... and all too often put to death there. This is where you are for whatever time the Law of the Land has given you. Yet you can have freedom and be free in prison! There are keys to freedom!
B.The Structural prison is also one that you have made of your home; because of fear. You may have created it out of an incident that has happened to you, such as rape or abuse. You may be a prisoner in your own home because of some emotional problem that causes you to isolate yourself. You can have freedom from this prison and from it’s jailer. You can reach out and accept the Keys to freedom!
II. The Physical Prison
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The Physical prison is the prison that we have because of some birth defect, devastating illnes or tragedy that has put us in a prison in our own bodies. There is no escape from it until we enter into the kingdom
of God. The good news is that we can still be free and have freedom even though we are forever trapped in our twisted and mangled bodies. The pain you feel and suffer can take a terrible toll on you and leave you feeling hopeless and helpless to do anything about. It seems that you spend more time fighting pain that on anything else and you tire easily just from fighting it; so all you want to do is sleep or rest and push the cares of the world out of your mind for a while. You can get the keys to freedom!
III. The Emotional Prison
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The Emotional prison is all too frequently worse than the structural or physical prisons that we find ourselves in. This is a prison in the mind. This kind of prison comes in the forms of mental retardation,
paranoia, schitzophrenia and etc. It can also be because of drug and alcohol abuse in a vain attempt to bury deep-seeded problems or painful memories of the past. Like those who suffer with the physical pain and
complications of their disability; you also suffer from in the emotional state. This is just as devastating as the physical disability is and it
can do more damage. The mind is a fragile thing and although the physical body is fragile in many respects, the mind is even more fragile and can be broken more easily than the body.These are the hardest
prisons to become free from; but you can be free!
IV. The Key to Freedom
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As you can see there are various prisons that we may find ourselves in and we do not think that we will ever be freed from them. We become hopeless lost and in despair, because there seems to be no way out of the prisons that we are in. First we will discuss freedom, secondly, how to be free and thirdly,to be made whole and healed.
A. Freedom
In Acts 22:28, the Apostle Paul is a prisoner in the Structural prison, who has been brought before Rome’s Authorities. The Chief Captain asked him in verse 27,"Are you Roman?" Paul answered,"Yes." but in verse 28, after the chief captain had answered, "With great sum obtained I this freedom", Paul replied, "I was free born." What does this mean? it means that he was not a slave to any man; but tkae a good look at this. Paul is telling us that we too can have freedom and be "born Free" through Jesus Christ and His gift of Salvation that is free. Paul was not only free in the world; but free in the spirit. He was a slave to no man or thing of this world. Just as Paul was free, even though he was a prisoner of the law of man in this world, he remained free. He was free because he had not the burdens of sin nor the temptations of the world to make him a prisoner. We must remember that we are of this world and are of flesh and bone; therefore we are subjected to the temptations and evils of this world. We are born in sin and can not be made free until we accept Jesus’ great gift of Salvation. Our freedom came at a great price when God sent his Son, Jesus to die for us. That was the ultimate price for the sins of mankind, for you and for me.
B.How to be free
We may never be free of our affictions of our bodies if we are physically disabled. That is for God alone to decide. However we can be freed from the sin that keesp us prisoners. John 3:16 says, "For God so
loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish; but have everlasting life." In John 14:6 Jesus also says, I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the father but by me." Also in John 11:25, Jesus again reminds us,"I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me though he were dead (in sin and physical death), yet shall he live. Now turn to Romans 8:32 - He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
We are all sinners and in Romans 3:23 we are boldy told this."For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." In verses 24-28, however, we are given the first "Key To Freedom" through redemption.
Look at what it says, (24)"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The Lord is not a God to the just the Jews. Look at Romans 3:29, where Paul asks and answers the question." Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also." Now turn to Romans 4:24-25 and romans 5:1-21, we are again reminded of the Price of Freedom that Christ paid and our justification through it.. (24) "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that
raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
(1) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet
peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (12)Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (17) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. "
Paul put it best to us in Romans 6:1-2, 19-23 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" The choice is yours. Would you rather be free in Christ or be a Slave to sin? (19) "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord."
Now Listen to what Paul says about sin and redemption from Romans 8:7-16,21: (7) "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they
that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10)
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ
from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
Finally in Romans 8:22-25, we are not alone or forgotten and that our redemption comes through faith.(22)"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain it. together until now. we are not alone and we are saved by faith. "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
The second Key to freedom is in truth. The truth is only found the Word of God and With God. In John 8:32, Jesus tells us, "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." These were not idle words
spoken by Jesus, they were words of wisdom. If we know the truth and accept the truth that God exists and that Jesus Christ was His son, whom God sent to pay the price of all sin then we are free indeed. We may not ever be free or totally free of the afflictions of the flesh, unless that is part of God’s plan for us; but we can still be free of the sin and shame we were born with and have committed in our lives. We may be
prisoners of our bodies, our minds or by our own actions find outselves in a structural prison for some crime we have committed, but we can still be free. The apostle Paul is the perfect example of this.
The Third Key and most important key is the accepting the Free Gift of Salvation, that is offered to us by Jesus Christ. Without that key, we can not enter into the kingdom of God or have our sins forgiven and
become a new creature in Him. In John 3: 3,5-7, Jesus tells us,"Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." This response was the answer that Jesus gave Nicodemus
when Nicodemus asked how can a man be born again when he is old. Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?(verse 4) Jesus goes on further in verses 5-7 and says, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the spirit; he can not enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee; Ye
must be born again." Your freedom comes in the spirit...not in the body.The spirit within you remains as a dead man until you are born in the spirit and freed from sin by accepting the gift of Salvation offered to you by the one who sacrificed His life for you...Jesus.
C. To be made Whole and Healed
To be healed and made whole, doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be healed of your body or your mind, unless that is in God’s plan for you and you have great faith in God to heal you. Why do I say that? Because too many have been told when they were not healed...that they didn’t have enough faith and therefore God "didn’t heal them". This is very
wrong and it is a cruel thing to say and make a judgment upon someone because they were not healed. How do these who judge another for lacking faith know this? Do they know God so well they can read His mind or know that in fact a person is not healed because they do not have enough faith? Jesus, Himself said that "if you have the faith of a grain of a mustard seed and you say to the mountain; remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossile for you." (Matthew 17:20) You have to have faith to believe all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26 & Mark 10:27)even if it is a faith that amounts to nothing more than a grain of mustard seed.
When God heals a person, it is according to His will and purpose, even though we may not understand it. He may heal the body, the mind, the spirit or any combination thereof. He always does what is best for us
and will bring you the most blessings. We tend to look to the flesh and the world for proof of God’s grace and miracles, when we should be looking to the spirit within us for them. The flesh will return to the dust from whence it came; but the spirit, the very breath of life that God breathed into us will go on forever - whether it be in heaven or hell. Why do I say this? Because, I am a handicapped person and have been since I was 20. I suffered a spinal cord injury, while serving as a Nurse in the Army during the Vietnam War. God didn’t heal my physical body, he healed my broken and tattered spirit. He showed me that the body is nothing without the spirit and I didn’t need a whole body to do what He called me to do or to save me from my sins or live in this world.
I know that it is frustrating to be physically handicapped and not be able to do the things you would like to do like ride a horse or go swimming, but God helps you turn your liabilities, such as disability,
into assets, tools you can use to help others. He frees your spirit and makes it come alive. having suffered these many years with multiple illnesses such as cancer and etc. I will not give up nor will I ever,
ever blame God for my life. In fact I thank Him for it! I know that the next thing you are going to say is... but I was abused! Well so was I! I suffered from horrendous abuse as a child and as a married person, but I even learned how to take what I have experienced and make it a useful tool in helping others. God Does Heal us..perhaps not in the way we would like Him to, but he does heal us according to His will and purpose
and plan for our lives. It may be immediate or it may come over time, but God does heal us in the way He feels is best for us.
In Romans 8:26-28 we are told,"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered.(27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (28) And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. To Know God is to love and understand God and His purpose for our lives. When he heals the spirit, he will also heal
the mind in the same manner, but we also have to be willing to take the steps necessary for this to happen. Whether it is going through a drug and alcohol program, after seeking and accepting Christ into your life, or seeing a counsellor to help work throught the emotional problems you have. For those who are mentally handicapped because of birth defects or
accident..... God has a special way to help you, because you are His Special Children." He has given each of you a special and unique gift all your own and with that gift you will become a blessing to yourself,
God and others. Do not let anyone tell you that you will never be more that what you are! They are wrong! You can be all that God intended you to be and more. You are as innocent children and one of God’s most
prized possessions. He loves you just as much as any one of His children.
For those who are in prisons because of some crime you were involved in or committed - God Loves you too and He can set you free! Not in body, but in spirit and of the sin that has become an albatross around your
neck. Once you are freed of sin, you become a new creature and He helps you cope with the price you must pay in man’s world for the crime you committed. He loves You and will not forsake you if you seek His face and accept Him into your hearts and lives. Best of all He will fogive you all your sin..and yes..even unto murder..if you are truly repentant. He will heal you of your brokeness and hurt and anger and pain. He is a God of Extreme love and compassion and will not turn His back on you. It is you that has to turn your back on Him. You can chose to live eternally in heaven or turn your back on Him and live forever in hell. Your prison is not your hell...your sin is. Think about it. Even the Apostle Paul, who was imprisoned for committing no crime, made use of his time by
spending it with God and writting all that God has shown and instructed him in. In other words, he turned his prison into a haven to communicate with God, to witness and get closer to God. It isn’t easy, but with faith and commitment that is true to God, accepting Him as your Savior, being forgiven your sin..you can deal with your time in prison and even become witnesses to the Glory of God.
Remember the three keys to Freedom are:
(A) Truth
(B) Salvation
(C) Repentence
With these three keys you can unlock the doors to freedom forever. All of this can be found in God’s word known as the Bible. It is the (B)asic
(I)nstructions (B)efore (L)eaving (E)arth. It is your manual for yourlife here. It is has all the answers to your problems and the directions
for living a righteous life here.
