Reflection: Freedom

Today few things are valued more highly than freedom. The freedom of self-expression, whether through words, clothing, or sexuality is often protected at all costs. People work hard because money can provide the freedom to do what we want, when we want, however we want. To be truly free is seen as the way to be truly happy.
It makes sense that the idea of freedom is valued so highly. Jesus, after all, came to bring us freedom. Yet the freedom Jesus offers is somewhat different to that which drives much of our society. Freedom in Christ is freedom from the consequences and power of sin. Left to ourselves, humans do not have the freedom to obey God. Try as we might, we keep on disobeying him.
Jesus died to set us free from the contaminating power of sin. This means that not only are we free from the consequence of sin, eternal death, but we now have the Holy Spirit living in us, giving us the freedom to really do good.
True freedom is not about having unlimited choices, it’s about being able to do the one thing that will make us truly happy – following God.

Prayer:

Dear Father, you came to set me free. Please help me to live out a life of freedom, obeying you in all things and turning away from sin and death. Amen.