Free at Last!

By Travis Sellers,

As the week began, I watched more than 20 Veterans and First Responders arrive at the beautiful SkyRose Ranch in California. Some of them had an idea of what to expect, or at least they thought they did. Some were not quite sure what to think. One thing is for certain, they were bound by chains. These men looked exhausted as if they came straight from the battlefield. Truth is, that is exactly where they came from.

As we ended the first night with these brave men introducing themselves, I reflected back to the first night I came through the Legacy Program here at Sky Rose Ranch. When I introduced myself, I burst into tears because of how broken I was. I was desperate to receive the freedom I have through Christ. These men desired the same thing, freedom. The lies of the enemy controlled their minds…they didn’t believe freedom, true freedom, was possible.

As these men became transparent with the sin that filled their lives, they began to experience superficial freedom. We don’t experience true freedom by just talking about our feelings or the sins we’ve committed. In John 8:31-32 Jesus says, “If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus tells us He is the truth in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus will set you free from your bondage and sin. This truth began to sink in with these men as the week progressed. They learned that submission to Christ is the key to true freedom.

But how do I submit to Christ? Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We must align ourselves with God and trust that His will for our lives is better than our will.

As these men embraced that absolute Truth, their chains were broken! Many of them acquired freedom for the first time in their lives! The weight dropped from their shoulders, the anxiety was removed from their hearts and minds! The lies of the enemy were defeated with absolute Truth!

These men are better prepared to fight the spiritual warfare that awaits them on the battlefield of life. We watched them leave the ranch eager to go to war with the Truth as their weapon having been set free from their bondage and sin, through Christ.