"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
Freedom is an especially interesting concept right now with the world in Covid "shut down" mode. Things we so take for granted are off limits. We can't get together with friends, go to church or restaurants...even the beach is off limits. We can't just go to the store and buy whatever and however much we want. People in other parts of the world experience this as part of their normal, everyday life. It is probably a good reality check for us in America.
The are a lot of things that rob us of freedom and keep us bound up. With all the current unknowns and uncertainties, with all the bad news, Fear creeps in and takes hold. Our hearts and minds become occupied with the business, the busyness of worry and anxiety and projecting and planning. Fear ties us up and makes us uncomfortable and our natural need to try to control, fix, numb or escape becomes a full time job that has no good pay off.
What enslaves me? What keeps me from being truly, completely free? What about you?
Fear? Worry? Anxiety? Insecurity? Negative thinking? Addiction? Comparison? Obsessive thoughts about insufficiency? Perfectionism? Depression? Pride? Embarrassment? It is all bondage. There is no freedom found here.
Good Friday and Easter are coming up. It is the time of year when we think about the meaning of the cruxifixction, of salvation and redemption, of heaven and eternity. But it's not just about the far away idea of what happens when we die. It's also about the here and now... of what happens while we live. John 10:10 contrasts what the enemy of our souls wants for us (to rob, kill and destroy) and what Christ came to give us. He came so that we would have life and life abundant, eternal and in the present...rich and full, peace filled, hopeful. Free.
So, stand firm then. Refute and rebuke the voice of Fear and bondage. It is not the voice of Truth. It is not the voice of the Savior.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
"...and who the Son has set free is free indeed" John 8:36
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