free-dumb

Growing up through the 80’s, 90’s and finally graduating in 2000, I didn’t know what it was like to have the country in a war. Sure, we had Desert Storm but I was like 10 so I didn’t get it. First, I want to thank the men and women who have fought and died and those that fought and came home. You are the reason we live where we live and we do what we do. You fought for your country and yes, freedom. Going deeper, what does it mean to be a Christian and to have freedom in Christ? I grew up in a Pastors home and could probably win many a bible trivia game. I know the Bible. Not all of it, but I got a good chunk down. Still, I struggled with what freedom meant.
I was listening to WFRN this week, which I usually don’t but because PULSE was oddly off the air, I had turned to that channel. The verse they were talking about was John 8:36 which says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” They went on to talk about how as a Christian we can be free from financial strain, free from worry about this or that; simply, if we are in Christ we are free. I have no doubt that God loves me and has the best for me in mind. However, on a daily basis that is hard for me to live out sometimes. I guess I didn’t get it. Freedom releases you from one of the devils greatest tools: worry. I know, I know. You are thinking that Christians are not supposed to worry and every time someone tells me that I agree but when I get going during my week and things start to pile up the worry comes rushing back and I don’t have the strength to push it away. I know.
Freedom means that we are free from fear, doubt, worry, guilt, shame, and all of the other things that cause God’s children to spend more time looking at their check books than the Bible. If Jesus has set you free, you are free. If you have been freed and are still dealing with these issues you are like a caged bird that longs to fly and the cage door is open. A lot of us are free-dumb. We don’t get it. We cannot understand that we don’t have to doubt and be bound by earthly things. Sure, not everything in our lives are going to work out, God never promised that. He did say that whoever Jesus set free, they are FREE!!! So this month as we celebrate our freedom and liberty remember that you don’t have to worry anymore. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and he has given us the greatest freedom we could ever ask for. Now use it!

Who the Son sets free is free indeed!