“So, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” John 8.36
Freedom!! Isn’t that what all of us want? No matter your position on the undocumented persons who are coming to the United States, these folks are coming here to experience something that we, as citizens, many times, take for granted. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Look at the conditions from which these families and individuals come, and one can understand why they want to be here.
Jesus promises us freedom, too! This freedom means deliverance from our slavery to sin and freedom from the power of the evil one – Satan. However, as you observe our Christian culture today, it mimics our own ungenerated society. Recent surveys reveal that in almost all areas of life like abortion, promiscuity, divorce, homosexuality, etc…the church reflects the society in which it lives. In other words, there is NO difference between Christians and non-Christians.
This makes me ask the question, what have we done with our freedom in Christ? Do we want the freedom that Christ promises us? Or do we want Christianity light? What is Christianity light? It is a Christian faith that forgets the teachings of Christ and lives for oneself. For example, Jesus teaches us, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9.23) and “Whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.” (Mark 10.44) These are challenging words for us as believers today. Everything around us says, “Please yourself first!” However, Jesus’ path of freedom shows us that our life is His. Our life should reflect His. Our freedom is based not on how we feel or what we want, but upon our trusting and walking in Him.
Peter wrote, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to its own vomit, and a washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.’” (II Peter 2.21 – 22) As we celebrate our nations’ independence this year, may we also celebrate our freedom in Christ by denying ourselves and being a slave to all. This way, we truly will be free.
Until next month,
Bro Lyle