Freedom

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." •

Americans live with the freedom to say what they want, pray to whom they wish and pursue whatever career they choose. The list of freedoms is endless. With all these freedoms, though, most people become confused over what is right and wrong. God tells us in the Bible what we should do and what we should not do, according to His standard of moral absolutes. For example, He says don't murder, but do love your neighbor. So, even though we have the freedom to do almost anything, God has set certain boundaries.

God did not create human robots programmed with a list of do's and don'ts. He created humans with the ability to reason and make choices. But when it comes to the 'gray areas', God has allowed great freedom for us to choose what to do. 1Corinthians 10:31 Whatever God does not prohibit is permissible.

Too often, people (and even some churches) impose restrictions on many of the things that God has freely allowed. Jesus often rebuked the Jewish leaders, who took pride in self deprivation, for their oppressive regulations on everyone else. We too excel at creating our own false limitations. When people create limits over and above God's limits, they create a legalistic religion that is contrary to God's plan for Christians to follow Him out of love. John 14:15 We are to obey God rather than man, even if others condemn or disagree with us.

That said, just because something is permitted, doesn't always mean that it's wise to do. 1Corinthians10:23 Video games are wonderful entertainment devices. Yet, after your tenth Wii tennis match, or your final level of Kingdom Hearts, do you get the feeling that you've done absolutely nothing worthwhile? How did sitting in front of the TV for a dozen hours last weekend, or constantly staying long hours at work build relationships with your family? Something as routine as talking on the phone, or texting, or surfing the internet, or shopping can enslave us. Remember the after-Thanksgiving sale tragedy at Walmart, when self-absorbed shoppers trampled an employee to death? What a price to pay for trying to snag the best deal first. Even the stuff we just 'have to have' can become a burden without realizing it. The cost of the 'thing', plus the care that it requires, and the time it takes you away from doing something more worthwhile can far outweigh the initial joy of owning it! Being possessed by our possessions enslaves us and inhibits us from living in Christ's freedom. 1Corinthians 6:12

God also calls us to be sensitive to others if we suspect that our freedom might offend someone else. 1Corinthians 8:9 Romans 14:13-21 If you can go to an R-rated movie and filter out the offensive material, great. But if you want to invite a friend to a movie who might be negatively influenced by the same content, you would be showing great compassion by choosing a different movie.

So, how is being obedient to God actually freeing?
We must accept God's definitions of right and wrong, acknowledging that not all things are good. Living in freedom means we accept that God has forgiven us for all of our sins. He does not reject us the moment we do wrong, but calls us back to Himself. The purpose of Christ's sacrifice on the cross was to bring us back into an open relationship with God so that we could live freely. But that is only accomplished by turning away from sin, and towards God.

But what if I've done something unforgivable? What can I do to earn God's forgiveness?
Absolutely nothing. Ephesians 2:8-9 God's forgiveness is a gift. Ephesians 2:4-9 In order to earn God's forgiveness, you would have to be absolutely perfect. If you were to work for it, you would void the very purpose of the gift. A gift is something freely given, not something we must work for. Acts 15:10-11 Christ died for all sin. Romans 5:6-11 The only unforgivable sin is rejecting God. Mark 3:29 Matthew 12:30-32 Christ was the only human being in history who did not allow sin to rule His life. He died on behalf of all sin, 1Timothy 1:9-11 1Corinthians 6:9-10 1Corinthians 6:18-20 and all you must do is accept His sacrifice Acts 16:31 and in God's strength, turn from your sin.

Won't God make me change everything in my life?
To repent means to turn from your sin. The moment you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit—God Himself—comes to dwell in You. Acts 2:38 John 14:26 He creates in you a desire to obey God. 1Peter 4:2 When you recognize the amazing sacrifice Christ made for you, you'll desire a more intimate relationship, that results in wanting to please Him. The change • you undergo is planned by God. This change frees you from your slavery to sin and bring you into God's freedom.