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July is all about the red, white, and blue. We have barbeques, fireworks, parades, and we remember those who have served and are serving in the military to keep our country free. But, what is freedom? For us Americans, it means having the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. It means that we have the right to worship as we wish and we are very thankful for that.
When I was a kid, I thought that if you were a Christian, it meant that you really shouldn't get to have as much fun as everyone else – that you had to give up freedom. So, when Jesus says to His disciples, “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32),” did He really mean, “live a legalistic life and be some sort of Christian robot?” As a believer in the Triune God, do I actually have less freedom?
No! Knowing the truth indeed sets you free! You can live your life without fear of death and without paralyzing anxiety of life's troubles because you know who is ultimately in control. You know the meaning of life, and being a child of God gives meaning to every aspect of your life. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is not a religion, it's a knowledge and allegiance to the truth set before the foundations of the world were laid. This frees us up to live the life God originally intended for us, without being bogged down with worries, guilt, anger, addictions, despair, constantly doing what we know is wrong, and fulfilling empty rituals.
Ultimate freedom is living under God's authority. The instruction He has given to us in the Bible is for our own good, freeing us to live the best life we could live. As we follow God, He promises to bless us more than we could provide for ourselves. When you give your life to God through Jesus Christ, you actually gain freedom.
So, as a follower of the Truth, be as creative as you can be, enjoy the little things in life, experience the beauty of God's creation around the world, read more, exercise your mind and body, cherish serenity, and relish being the temple of the Holy Spirit.
That's freedom. That's life.
- Pastor Justin
That is very Very GOOD!
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