Friday, July 03, 2009

Where is Freedom?

Where do we find our Freedom? An interesting thing about freedom: we are free only as long as we have limitations. I speak of freedom in an earthly sense. I have Freedom because I live in the United States. However, my freedom is limited. I don’t have freedom to break into another family’s home and take their things. That would violate their freedom to live peaceably in their home. I don’t have freedom to physically harm other people simple because they disagree with me. That would violate their freedom to live peaceably without fear of harm.

What about the Christian life? Do we live a free people in a Spiritual sense? Not always as we should. Some people believe that if only they will “Live Right” then God will be happy enough with them to allow them into heaven. Maybe if they score enough good points and not enough bad points, then it will all be okay. But that is not what Jesus teaches at all. He says the only way to truly be free is to be bound. We must be bound to Jesus. Not to complex ideologies. Not to causes or ideas. But we must be bound to Jesus and Jesus alone. All else is secondary. This Sunday, as we honor those who so selflessly fought for the freedom of a nation, let’s examine what makes us free as individuals.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Where is Freedom?

Where do we find our Freedom? An interesting thing about freedom: we are free only as long as we have limitations. I speak of freedom in an earthly sense. I have Freedom because I live in the United States. However, my freedom is limited. I don’t have freedom to break into another family’s home and take their things. That would violate their freedom to live peaceably in their home. I don’t have freedom to physically harm other people simple because they disagree with me. That would violate their freedom to live peaceably without fear of harm.

What about the Christian life? Do we live a free people in a Spiritual sense? Not always as we should. Some people believe that if only they will “Live Right” then God will be happy enough with them to allow them into heaven. Maybe if they score enough good points and not enough bad points, then it will all be okay. But that is not what Jesus teaches at all. He says the only way to truly be free is to be bound. We must be bound to Jesus. Not to complex ideologies. Not to causes or ideas. But we must be bound to Jesus and Jesus alone. All else is secondary. This Sunday, as we honor those who so selflessly fought for the freedom of a nation, let’s examine what makes us free as individuals.