Monday, July 16, 2012

True Freedom

I've had some thoughts mulling around in my head the last couple of weeks.  I think they are worthy of a quick blog post :)  

I love freedom.  I love freedom in Christ.  I love teaching others about freedom in Christ.  It's a subject very dear to me.  When a subject is dear to me I want to protect it.  Likewise it also grieves me when I  see a subject dear to my heart misunderstood or abused.

What does the term freedom in Christ mean to you?  

To some radical, "you can't chain me to anything," believers it is a license to do whatever they please all in the name of grace.  This saddens me because I think it cheapens grace.  Go read Romans 6 and you will quickly see how Paul addressed the subject.  

As someone who was once chained to religious bondage, I have had many paradigm shifts on the topic of freedom and grace...including a very brief season in the radical group I just mentioned.  As I grew in relationship with my loving Abba Father, He gently reminded me; that although I am completely free because of His Son, holiness is not optional.  

I recently heard freedom defined this way, "Freedom, it's not permission to do what I want, but permission to do what is right."  

When we are in love our desires change.  Because I am in love with Jesus, I want to please Him.  It's not out of fear of punishment or the wrath of God (I believe Jesus satisfied those on the cross) that I desire to do what is holy and good.  It's because I value my relationship with my heavenly Father and will do anything to protect His heart.  Do I always get it right?  Absolutely not....and that is where grace enters...which makes My Soul Sing!