Are you truly free?

Rules, by nature, are restrictive. But that can be a good thing in the right circumstances. Restrictions are the pathway to freedom. It may sound paradoxical, but if we look in the context of Scripture, we will see that it makes perfect sense.

God set Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and told them they were free, but they could not eat from one particular tree. God’s rules are designed to protect and empower us, and in that, we find our freedom to choose the best that God has for us.

The New Testament describes God’s rules as "the perfect law that gives freedom" (James 1:25). And in Adam and Eve’s case, the rule forbidding them to eat from the tree gave them freedom to choose a relationship with God.

God gives us the power to choose. We can either choose to enjoy the freedom of a relationship with him, or we can choose a life bound to the destructive ways of this world. The choice is yours—are you truly free?

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:15-17

The Big Picture

One of the most surprising facts that people learn about the Christian faith, is that obedience to God does not equal a comfortable life. Jesus says in Matthew 10, that he did not come to bring peace. He came to bring a sword.

God never promised that we would have it easy in this world. Some of God’s most obedient followers have been imprisoned, tortured and have even forfeited their lives because of their allegiance to Christ.

Most Christ-followers today will not lose their life for faithful obedience. The costs are often more subtle. You may have to sacrifice some social events in order to attend church, or give of your time to volunteer serving others instead of serving your own wants and needs. But these are small inconveniences compared to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on the cross.

Don’t let minor sacrifices keep you from focusing on the bigger picture. Consider what the Bible says. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus sacrificed his life because of the blessings on the other side of the cross. What are you holding on to, instead of sacrificing it so that you can experience the joy of a much bigger blessing? Come to life...

Jesus stated, "No servant is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:20-21

Confrontations can be extremely uncomfortable. They are usually filled with a great deal of tension and anxiety for everyone involved. Emotions flare, voices raise and accusations fly. Whether you are confronting someone who wronged you or correcting someone who has chosen the wrong path, it is always one of the hardest things to do.

Jesus understood the importance of confrontation because it reveals the truth. He came to this earth from heaven as the truth to confront sin. He didn’t just quietly walk by people and let them make up their own moral code. He confronted sin in love with the truth of God’s Word.

Christ would not let sin reside in the Jerusalem temple and he will not let it stand in today’s temple. The Bible says that our bodies are modern day temples, and Christ will confront you when there is sin in your heart that is hindering your worship of him. Let him uncover the hidden sin in your heart so that you can enjoy freedom in him.

"So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!” John 2:15-16