True Freedom
It was 1989 and the pastor’s sermon pierced my heart. To this day I remember his challenging question: “Whose slave are you?”
What, me a slave? At the time I was the mother of two young children and I served them by fetching and carrying constantly. But subservient to someone? I didn’t think so.
Then the preacher offered a convincing premise that we unavoidably serve one of three masters: our selfishness, the devil, or God. Then he outlined how the yoke of slavery to sin, a universal problem for mankind, can become so burdensome as to feel unbreakable.
Yet, the apostle Paul wrote these liberating words to the church at Galatia: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Freedom is always costly! The Fourth of July reminds us the American Revolution required great sacrifice; and only because brave men of principle risked their lives, do we enjoy the freedoms we have today. And at every dark moment of our nation’s history, brave men and women gave their all to secure the American principles that have made us a great republic.
Even so, spiritual freedom (redemption from God’s wrath) cost Christ everything!
Only because His blood paid for the debt our sins incur, can we be washed clean and enjoy a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through trust in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, we are made new and given eternal purpose.
Still, the apostle Peter warns us to live as free men, not using our freedom to cover over evil, but to live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16). True freedom obeys God’s eternal commands to love Him first, and our neighbors second. It depends on the Holy Spirit to teach and lead us so we won’t turn our freedom into an opportunity to be self-centered, but to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).
Are you living in freedom today? Who are you serving?
May we cherish the freedoms we enjoy in this great land, and even more so, align ourselves with Christ by serving Him wholeheartedly. The freedom He gives us can never be taken away! Hallelujah, what a Savior!
