Freedom Looks Like Obedience
"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” - 1 Peter 2:16
True freedom is not the absence of boundaries; it's the power to choose what's best. A fish is free when it's in water, not when it's flopping around on dry land. Similarly, we are most free when we live within God's design for our lives.
The world tells us that freedom means doing whatever we want, whenever we want. But that kind of freedom often leads to slavery to our appetites, emotions, and impulses. Biblical freedom means having the power to choose righteousness over sin, love over selfishness, and God's will over our own desires.
When I was learning to drive, I thought all the traffic laws were restrictions on my freedom. But I quickly learned that those laws actually protected my freedom to arrive safely at my destination. God's commands work the same way. They are not restrictions but guardrails that keep us on the path to abundant life.
Living as a free person means saying no to things that would enslave you and yes to things that bring life. It means choosing forgiveness over bitterness, generosity over greed, and truth over deception. Every time you make the right choice, you exercise your freedom and strengthen your spiritual muscles.
Choose one area where you have been living in slavery to your flesh (anger, lust, pride, etc.). Make a specific plan to exercise your freedom by choosing God's way in that area today.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the freedom to choose what is right and good. Help me to see Your commands not as restrictions but as pathways to abundant life. Give me strength to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. I want to live as a truly free person in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
True freedom is not the absence of boundaries; it's the power to choose what's best. A fish is free when it's in water, not when it's flopping around on dry land. Similarly, we are most free when we live within God's design for our lives.
The world tells us that freedom means doing whatever we want, whenever we want. But that kind of freedom often leads to slavery to our appetites, emotions, and impulses. Biblical freedom means having the power to choose righteousness over sin, love over selfishness, and God's will over our own desires.
When I was learning to drive, I thought all the traffic laws were restrictions on my freedom. But I quickly learned that those laws actually protected my freedom to arrive safely at my destination. God's commands work the same way. They are not restrictions but guardrails that keep us on the path to abundant life.
Living as a free person means saying no to things that would enslave you and yes to things that bring life. It means choosing forgiveness over bitterness, generosity over greed, and truth over deception. Every time you make the right choice, you exercise your freedom and strengthen your spiritual muscles.
Choose one area where you have been living in slavery to your flesh (anger, lust, pride, etc.). Make a specific plan to exercise your freedom by choosing God's way in that area today.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the freedom to choose what is right and good. Help me to see Your commands not as restrictions but as pathways to abundant life. Give me strength to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. I want to live as a truly free person in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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5 Comments
Amen!!
Because of you Lord I'am free I am able to breathe the air of freedom from sin. That as you Lord have given me life to see feel your goodness in my life of freedom. That without you Lord I'am lost and nothing. Thank you for loving me a once lost sinner and broken vessel that you have put back together. And as the Holy spirit burns in my heart to be your servant and to serve you and others. Use me Lord and Holy Spirit please never stop burning in my heart, burn the more so I can help other as well as you Lord Jesus.
This really challenged me today. I realized that true freedom isn’t just leaving an unhealthy situation it’s also refusing to let bitterness follow me into my future. God has already freed me from living for someone’s approval, and now He’s teaching me to trust Him with the hurt instead of carrying it. I can forgive, keep healthy boundaries, and leave justice in His hands. That’s the kind of freedom I want to walk in.
You’ve really been nailing it lately Pastor Ed. Thank you. I think I’m still learning to drive myself and I’m 45. I’ve let this fear really take way too much of my life. Wrapped up in pride like a shiny red bow on a Christmas present. It’s time to do things differently. I pray that God makes a way just like He made the one I’m currently walking. And it has served a great purpose for me for many years. If it had not done me some kind of good I would not have continued for so long. But the question I ask is if it is still serving me. I pray and I hope also if anyone would be so kind to help pray for me as well for God to make another way so that I can be home with my family every night. So that we can really start building something instead of having to leave out of town all the time. That burning in my heart is not the same as it used to be. I am weighed down, separated from the local community. I’m a visitor in my own home. Well that’s what it feels like anyway. Hopefully God can find a wise move that gets me home but still follows His perfect will for me. I love God. I trust Him. But yeah. Just asking. Pretty please with a cherry on top. Stone cold serious.
amén!