TRUE FREEDOM LIES IN SERVING CHRIST

5/11/2020

Here in America, we talk a lot about Freedom. Freedom and Liberty are the cornerstones of our country, and they are valued by most citizens greatly. In the times we are in, there is no doubt that these freedoms are looking different and indeed may be changing. In other countries, being free has a different look, a different perspective, and may require a difficult struggle to achieve. Many people can find themselves under the control of dictatorships, theocracies, or regimes that have a defined way of controlling their populations. That is one particular part of “Freedom”, and it tends to look at where we are positioned from an external point of view. In this place, external forces or circumstances control us. The other perspective of freedom focuses more on us as an individual person. The paradigm shifts to self control. Who we are, and what things in life we place value on in terms of being free. The focus is on behavior and values. What we want to be able to do, and to pursue. This is where the true struggle for freedom begins….and the question we must answer is this “ Do we define what Freedom means to us from the world’s perspective, or from God’s perspective ? They are very different, and they require a very different commitment.

The World : The power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

And God ?

I WILL WALK ABOUT IN FREEDOM FOR I HAVE SOUGHT OUT YOUR PRECEPTS. Psalm 119:45

BUT WHOEVER LOOKS INTENTLY INTO THE PERFECT LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM, AND CONTINUES IN IT-NOT FORGETTING WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD, BUT DOING IT-THEY WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT THEY DO. James 1:25

IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM , THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY. Galatians 5:1

Freedom is pretty confusing to a lot of people. Many who are not followers of Jesus have the opinion that to accept Him and follow Him simply demands too much and actually takes away their freedom. God has too many rules, right ? God would demand commitment and obedience. Scripture actually talks about us being a slave to His ways ( 1 Peter 2:16 ). No thanks to that ! I want a freedom that I choose, even if I find out my choices haven’t exactly put me in a good place….

“I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO ANYTHING,” “ YOU SAY-BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS BENEFICIAL. “I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO ANYTHING”-”BUT I WILL NOT BE MASTERED BY ANYTHING”. 1 Corinthians 6:12

There is a huge desire to be free by enacting self control, but the truth is that you miss the major point of what the freedom God wants you to have truly is. GOD’S FREEDOM IS ABOUT SETTING YOU FREE FROM SIN AND THE ETERNAL SUFFERING AND SEPARATION FROM GOD THAT IT PRODUCES IN YOUR LIFE. Freedom to indulge in the world often puts you in bondage to sin, and it moves you to live in your flesh….and flesh is all about pleasure. The problem with fleshly pleasure is that it is often not beneficial. Instead, it traps you into things that can take over. Things like alcohol, drugs, pornography, gossip, lies, adultery, coveting. Before you know it, your “pleasures” are ruling you, and you aren’t free any longer. You are in bondage to the desires and moments that destroy your life. Relationships are ruined, physically and emotionally you are being eaten up, and you become hollow. Everything that you thought you were gaining in freedom is now a jail cell complete with shackles. OUCH !

PRAISE GOD that He offers each of us a completely different path through the Gospel of Jesus Christ ! Being reborn in Jesus as your Savior, Lord, and King is where true freedom and peace are found. The failures of sin are taken off of us because Jesus took them and paid the price for us by dying for us. He willingly died so we could TRULY BE FREE. Alive in Him, set with a path and purpose, and the PROMISE OF ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP AND LIFE. The key here is realizing that God has given us loving instruction in His Word and Character that propels us into a life of righteousness and holiness not weighed down by bad choices, behavior, and sin. This is being a “slave” to goodness and selflessness. Gaining all the qualities that God gives us so freely. Love for Him, love for each other, humility not pride, kindness, generosity, joy, hope, all the things that make our lives full and complete.

I have made the choice to BE FREE IN JESUS. I want to continually strive to be deeper in my relationship with Him, and freely give Him control over my life. I seek Him and ask Him to guide me and I want to hear His voice, as He is my Shepherd. If you choose to give Him your life, He promises you all that you will ever desire in Him. HE WILL SET YOU FREE ….and all you have to do is surrender all that puts you in bondage without Him. Trust In His Love For You/JAA

LIVE AS FREE PEOPLE, BUT DO NOT USE YOUR FREEDOM AS A COVER UP FOR EVIL; LIVE S GOD’S SLAVES 1 Peter 2:16

BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN AND HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF GOD, THE BENEFIT YOU REAP LEADS TO HOLINESS, AND THE RESULT IS ETERNAL LIFE. Romans 6:22