Walking In The Land Of Liberty
I woke up this morning with an amazing awareness of the liberty we have in Christ. We can daily choose to do virtually anything we want, according to whatever gifts, talents and abilities we have been endowed with by our Creator. Many people think the Christian life is restrictive or stifling, but really the opposite is true.
I'm reminded of the situation long ago in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve were only given one prohibition, and that was clearly for their own good. They were simply told not to eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They could eat anything else but that. Then, in a positive admonition, they were also instructed to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and be stewards or managers of all the other life on the planet. Sounds like paradise to me. From the very beginning, God was not a slave-driver, but a loving Father who wanted the very best life for His children to enjoy. Unfortunately, Eve doubted God's love and started a terrible chain of events.
Many years later when the children of Israel had found themselves in bondage and slavery in Egypt, God answered their cries and delivered them. But when the Lord then attempted to bring them through the wilderness into Canaan, the promised land, that unbelieving generation stubbornly refused to enter in. They also doubted the goodness of God, just like many people continue to do today. For many centuries after that, the Lord continued to show Himself a loving, faithful Father to His people in many different ways, finally culminating in His own innocent Son dying for us on a cross to take away our sins and guilt once and for all. What more can He do to prove His love for us?
While a lot has happened in the world since then, including an ongoing war with Satan that certainly makes our lives difficult at times, life for the true children of God continues to be one of freedom and fellowshipping with God and His people. We basically have only one rule to follow...to love. Love God and love others. That is the over-arching guidance God has given us. As long as whatever we do is motivated by love, we are free to do whatever we want, wherever we want, whenever we want. This is true freedom as it is meant to be experienced.
Finally, I have to concede that God has indeed warned us in the Scriptures not to do quite a few things, but again, these assorted prohibitions have only been for our good. They are given to help us enjoy a full, abundant life that is as free as possible from unnecessary suffering. I think of it this way. Imagine we are all walking across a field where an enemy has hidden mines in the ground, capable of severely injuring or killing us. God knows where these mines are, and puts little flags next to them to mark them so we won't go near them. The sins God warns us not to commit are like those mines, ready to ruin our lives if we stumble or walk willfully into them.
Lord, forgive us for doubting Your goodness at times, and help us to seek Your kingdom and live accordingly. Thank You for all the wonderful things You've done, all the things You've given us to enjoy, and the presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit to hold us up when times are tough. We look forward to the day of Christ's return and the fulfillment of all Your promises!
Romans 13:10-14
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
-nOFuTuRe
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