Due to school, work and lack of time, I have not been able to write. Part of me wants to write but I feel like I'm cheating if I only write one or two paragraphs. We'll just have to see how long this one gets:
This week's theme for me has been "freedom" and how I view it. How do you view freedom?
I went to a dictionary (albeit an online one) to properly define freedom. Here is what I found:
-the quality or state of being free
-the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
-a political right
-The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint
-exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
Above are just a few of the definitions I found throughout dictionaries. Now I want to look at the Bible for freedom:
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Yes, we were in bondage to sin. We were captured and held by our lusts, but no because of God's sacrifice, Jesus Christ, we can be free!
1Co 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
Now wait a second, I was just told that I was set free, but now you're telling me I'm in bondage again? Seems like a lose, lose...from slavery to servitude.
It is...and it's not.
God's freedom is a bondage of love, commitment, sacrifice. It's a "want to be" bondage. When you realize the ultimate sacrifice he's made to you then you can't help but want to be a servant for Him because you are SO indebted.
Unfortunately the world's view of freedom is my own right, my own choice, what I want to do, how I want to do it, who I want to be with, and so much more. We confused personal demands with freedom, and yes, I truly believe there is a difference. We had no "right" to anything good. In fact, the only thing we ever had a right to was hell. There was a place for us reserved right along with Satan and his henchmen. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. But somehow God was merciful and spared us from this "right", he was gracious and gave us a "right" we never deserved.
We need to step back and examine our outlook on freedom. How do you view it? Do you view it as an indebtedness to the Savior? Or are you one who would think that it is your right to be happy, healthy, wealthy? Woe to you Believer if you have forgotten the true meaning of freedom. Step back, examine, and act on what you've read.
"Freedom," Jesus says, "You're doing it wrong."
