Pastor’s Channel: Freedom
By: Shawn Weaver
The word freedom may be the most powerful word in the English language. It is one of the few things that can unite people who would normally be at odds. It is one of the few things that can turn normal average people into ferocious warriors, willing to give their lives for their cause.
Why do we all want to be free? We are designed for it. So, are we free? Many define freedom as being able to do whatever we want. What if we cast aside the pains of jobs, discipline, and morals? What if we quit our jobs, move to Margaritaville to sit on a beach and watch the world go by? That would be great…for a while.
However, as we think through that idea of “freedom”, we will quickly see that it will only be short-lived. Would we feel free when creditors start calling? I am betting that we won’t feel very free when we are homeless and hungry. In fact, it seems that what started out as freedom will eventually produce bondage.
Just look at addictions. Whether it is porn, drugs, alcohol, sex, etc., they all look like freedom at first. But, we quickly find they are just well-concealed prisons. So, what we are seeing as what initially looks like freedom is actually bondage.
In the same way, what if what initially looks like bondage is true freedom? Many believe that following Christ is about rules and regulations. The Bible’s demarcations between right and wrong can feel like bondage.
What if those things are not about restricting us, but protecting us? We see in John 8:36 (NKJV) “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Wait. Following Christ is about freedom?
Being a slip-seat driver, at times, I have been assigned trucks that are turned up. As most experienced drivers know, there are dos and don’ts of what to do with the power and what not to do with it. You could say these trucks have more rules than others, but it is all worth it when I am loaded heavy and coming up on a hill to climb!
We see here that the rules are really about protecting freedom.
Christ didn’t die for us to improve our lives. He died so that we can have His.
True freedom is ONLY experienced when we are living the life that our Creator destined us to live.
That is the only way we can access the power we are designed for.
