Day 27: Freedom by Kristian Stanfill

Biblical Background

The theme of this song is in reference to 2 Corinthians 3:17.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

However, as with most scripture, this can be taken out of context if you only read one verse. When read out of context it might seem like we should do whatever we want to do and the freedom is a freedom to sin, to act crazy, to be offensive, etc... Taking the phrase out of context like this would not match up with the rest of the passage of scripture and would also not match up with the rest of the song. I would highly recommend reading the full thought that the Apostle Paul is writing here in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18.

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

This verse is actually talking about the excitement of how Glorious the Gospel is to those who believe. In the Old Testament there was an awesome power in the Holiness of God and Moses had to put a veil over his face so that people wouldn't die from the Glory of God that shone from him. Jesus is different. You can show Jesus with freedom because that is the Glory of the New Covenant. A greater Glory has come and it is a Glory of Grace. The weight has been lifted, the chains of sin and death have fallen off of you, and your life can be made whole in Jesus name. We are able to contemplate the Lord's Glory without instantly dying. We are transformed instead of transfigured.

Lyrics

Step out of the shadows, step out of the grave
Break into the wild and don’t be afraid
Run into wide open spaces
Grace is waiting for you
Dance like the weight has been lifted
Grace is waiting

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, there is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, there is freedom
Come out of the dark, just as you are
Into the fullness of His love
The Spirit is here, let there be freedom
Let there be freedom

Bring all of your burdens, bring all of your scars
Come back to communion, come back to the start
Run into wide open spaces
Grace is waiting for you
Dance like the weight has been lifted
Grace is waiting

Chains will fall, prisons shake
At the sound of Jesus’ name
Lives made whole, hearts awake
At the sound of Jesus’ name

Abundant Life Fellowship Version

Jesus Culture Version featuring Kim Walker-Smith

Final Thoughts

I think it's incredibly common to take scriptures out of context. I've heard it said that you should never read a bible verse, you should read the ten verses before and the ten verses after as well as the verse. If we did this, how protected would we be from falsehoods? I hope and pray that this verse has been put in context for you and that I could provide a small bucket of Grace for your day.

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