We’re coming to the last week of school before the annual Christmas break. Most students are counting down the days. When the last bell rings on December 20th, some will even shout, “Free for two whole weeks!”
Whether we’re young or old, we crave freedom. We don’t want anyone telling us where to go or what to do. We often see rules as a silent form of slavery; as the attempt of someone or some force to keep us within the control of their power. People who consistently follow rules are often depicted as mindless robots.
Jesus had a very different take on being free. He said that true freedom was in believing and following what he taught. That is because he very clearly and openly said that he is God. He made the case for the divine creation of human beings and that the life of a person is hardwired for a personal relationship with his/her Creator. When an individual breaks off that relationship in a bid for autonomy, the result is slavery to one’s desires and appetites. Because apart from God we have tremendous difficulty knowing what is good for ourselves, we become addicted to whatever makes us feel good at the moment. Sounds eerily contemporary, doesn’t it?
Here is what Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The words “self-control” and “restraint” definitely aren’t popular, but when they are connected with Jesus Christ, they lead to a freedom few of us enjoy today.
If you feel more like a slave than a free person even though you have declared yourself to be the master of your fate, join us for our Sunday morning worship service. True freedom can take on a form we sometimes mistaken for something else.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 am