True Freedom

"For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

What does true freedom look like?  What sort of things do you think about or associate with freedom?  I would think most people think that freedom is the ability to do what they want, when they want to do it?  But, is this what true freedom looks like?  I believe we all have that ability.  We can make a choice to do whatever we want to do right now.  So is this the type of freedom we were called to?  I don't think so.  I think the world looks at freedom in our lives the complete opposite of the way we ought to.  The world would say freedom looks like you living free to do whatever you desire, the capability to do it whenever, and the opportunity to do it with whom ever you like.  The actual definition of freedom is the ability to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.  This is literally how our world defines freedom.  But, this is not what freedom in Christ looks like.  When we live as culture says in worldly "freedom", we are told we can do whatever we desire, and that is what a true free person does.  We are told in James 1:15, "Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."  If we are honest, most of, if not all, of our desires are wicked and sinful apart from the Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts and actions.  The Bible teaches that all of our sin starts as a desire in our hearts.  The reason the world is such disarray is because the world would teach us that we can experience freedom in our lives when we do whatever we desire, but we know that above all our hearts and the desires therein are wicked.  This is why we have such hate, despair, problems, and issues in our world and with one another, because everybody is cashing in on worldly freedom.  But, Christ came so that we would have true freedom in life.  We are no longer under the old bondage of following the written law, because we follow a grace filled life that is powered by love.  Because Jesus came and died for us, we don't have to live with shame, hurt, and guilt.  He came so that we may be covered by His blood, and be counted spotless.  Jesus came to offer us forgiveness in our lives.  Because of this, those of us who have accepted Christ into our hearts can experience true biblical freedom.  True biblical freedom is a grace filled life where we can experience peace, love, mercy, and joy in our new lives in Christ.  And the verse above tells us to be mindful, that once we get this true freedom from Jesus, not to use it to go back to the ways of the flesh.  Meaning don't use this spiritual freedom for worldly gain or pleasure, but rather give the freedom back to someone else by serving them.  Because Jesus loves us and calls us to freedom and forgiveness, we are then motivated by the new life and freedom to serve each other in love.  Today, use your true freedom to serve others in love today.  This is the only way to keep it!  Pray and ask God for true freedom in your hearts that comes from the forgiveness He offers in Christ.  Then, you will experience the freedom from shame and guilt, and lavish in the beauty of grace, love, joy, and peace in your life!  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!