Freedom

I work at a retail store and the shelves are crowded with Fourth of July decorations.  Customers are stocking up on flags and stars and decorated little red trucks. I admit I’ve purchased my own little stash. There is no doubt we are longing to celebrate the idea of freedom. 

We like the idea of freedom.  We each want to do whatever we want.  We aspire to be in complete control of our own lives without hindrance.  None of us relishes being told what to do. 

I’ve struggled with the idea of spiritual freedom.  I accept the truth that Jesus has freed me from the penalty of sin which is death (Romans 8:1-4).  I believe that God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself.  I know that I can’t earn my salvation in any way by following a list of rules or laws.  That’s all good.

Confusion flooded my mind when I contemplated other scripture.  In Romans 6, Paul says, “But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God . . .” (verse 22) What?!!  Many times, I felt as if I traded in one task master for another.  I was weighed down by all the things I perceived a Christian should do like be kind, love your neighbor and help the unfortunate.  It’s not that I didn’t want to be that person, I felt cornered by the obligation to be “perfect.” Have you been there?

God doesn’t want us to feel trapped by what we read in His Word.  God sent Jesus to free His followers from fearful obedience to the Law. Jesus died to rescue us from living a life of “should:” I should be (blank); I should behave (blank).

Early in my marriage, our budget was squeaky tight.  My husband was working on his masters and we aimed to accomplish it debt free.  During that season we lived near two of my sisters.  They periodically created plans for the three of us to go and spend a day together.  My typical response was I needed to check with my spouse.  He was the one paying the bills and balancing the checkbook; I didn’t always know if there were funds available.  They were frustrated with this sequence of events, telling me I should just do whatever I wanted.  They perceived that I was being controlled. I didn’t see it that way.  I wasn’t upset about having to “check in;” I wanted to please my husband. I wanted to keep our relationship at its absolute best.  I felt the freedom to do what I wanted, and I also desired to stay within our budget.  I knew that there were boundaries that kept us living well.

Our freedom in Christ is similar; the key is to focus on relationship.  Just like I wanted our marriage to be its best, we are to prioritize our relationship with Jesus.  It’s not about what we can or cannot do, it’s about delighting the One we love.

Galatians 5:10 says, “…If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”  Jesus leads us how to live.  We need to “check in” with Him, trust what He knows and follow His guidance.  We are to live within the boundaries that safeguard our relationship and keep us living well.

Freedom is found within the boundaries God provides.  

Our relationship with Christ evokes celebration!