Spiritual/Emotional Freedom

To be in Christ changes our identity. 

We go from death to life, becoming a new creation, chosen by God, adopted, loved, forgiven, redeemed, seated with Christ in heavenly places. 

United in Christ, our position changes: we are no longer ‘in Adam’, sharing in his sin and death; instead we are in Christ, sharing in the righteousness and enjoying the everlasting life that flows from Jesus Christ.  

Being in Christ also means that we experience unity with billions of Christians across the world. When we understand more of our position we will know the wonderful truth of becoming part of this global family and find our place of belonging as a part of the worldwide body of Christ.

Knowing the truth of being in Christ is the source of all fulfilment in life. 

As you discover the wonderful riches of being in Christ, so all the deepest longings of your life, for security, significance and self-worth, are satisfied in him. 

God wants you to know that you don’t have to work to earn his love, you are already his beloved child. In fact, because you are in Christ, he loves you to the same degree as he loves Jesus.  

As that truth becomes a reality in your life, your desire to serve him will grow; not to earn his love, but from a place of already being loved.

Start with faith. 

Believe that the ‘in Christ’ verses in the Bible are true for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what they mean. 

Why not learn some of these scriptures off by heart, you will find some examples in the next section.

Find a place where you can speak them out loud, this will help raise your levels of faith.

Invite God to remove any hindrances to them becoming a reality in your life.

Find other people to share these with.

You could also consider one of our courses, that unpack freedom and our new identity in Christ, such as Beta or Celebrate Recovery. 

Immersion or baptism means to be drenched in the Spirit.

“He [Jesus] will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 3:16 NIV

We receive a clothing with power.

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 NIV

Receive power to witness.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8 NIV

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32,33 NIV

This gift has been available ever since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over 2000 years ago on the day of Pentecost. We can ask and receive the gift of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NIV

You can ask to receive the Holy Spirit. You can‘t do anything to earn it, it ceases to be a gift if you have to work for it. When you are born again, there is a change in your heart, your spirit is recreated. If you’ve invited Jesus into your life, you are ready to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13 NIV

As you once took a step of faith to receive Jesus as your Saviour, you are now taking a step of faith to receive the Holy Spirit.

Being baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit gives you access to the gifts of the Spirit. One of these gifts is the gift of tongues.

The Holy Spirit does not speak in tongues, but rather that the Holy Spirit enables us to speak in tongues.

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4 NIV

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Acts 10:44-46 NIV

“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6 NIV

Sometimes receiving the gift of tongues happens at the same time at being baptised in the Spirit, and other times people may only receive the gift of tongues later.

Speaking in tongues is a cooperation between yourself and the Holy Spirit. Expect that the Holy Spirit will give you words; that your tongue will seem to want to say something.

Open your mouth, this can be an act of faith in itself, breathe in, and then say to God, “I am receiving the Holy Spirit right now by faith.”

Don’t speak in your native language. Relax and then boldly lift your voice and make those supernatural sounds that want to come, regardless of what they are, trusting God for guidance.

Go on speaking, praising God with those supernatural words until a free, clear language comes.

Once you have prayed in tongues for a minute or so, stop and then start speaking in tongues again. This gives you the confidence that you can speak with ease in tongues as you can with your native language. You now have the gift and you can use it whenever you want to.

Praying in tongues each day will help you to grow spiritually; by using this gift, your faith can be built up and you can be reminded that you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit because of Jesus.

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 20 NIV