It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
I admit: I am a freethinker. I don't like conventions and traditions very much, I want to feel free coming and going however and whenever I want. I long for freedom, and that's what I've found in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
Paul warns us to become ourselves slaves again. That would never come to my mind. Really? Let me think about:
My family and I, we live the life I imagine. But how I would like to......
My relationships are characterized by freedom. Live and let live. Really?
I am certainly not determined by what I own. Where can I get more?
I love my job. But 5 days a week?
I like going to my church. But take over responsibility?
I felt free to exaggerate these aspects of my life in order to stimulate reflection: Are we truely free? Do I have the right to take the liberty I long for - at any price? Does life also mean being partially unfree? Does freedom have the same meaning throughout life? Or does it change? As unique as we all are, these questions will be answered very differently. And as individual as we deal with the situations in our lives, so is how we deal with liberties and restrictions. But one thing remains: Jesus Christ shed his blood for us to free us from our sins (a). Sin is what seperates us from God. Should we see in our lives bondage that disrupt our relationship with God I want to encourage us to face it and overcome with God's help (b). Because "Where the spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom"(c). Even where we are supposedly not free due to circumstances.
Biblical passages:
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