08/25/2020
We long for freedom, and to be our own men and women, but what does freedom really mean? So many feel that freedom means that they are not to be subservient to anyone, when what it really means is that we are free to serve whomever we choose. As patriots we serve our country, as husbands and wives we serve our families, but as Christians we find the greatest of all service... we find that our freedom is founded in serving the Lord, and making Him the focus of our lives.
“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
Romans 14:8 ESV
As free men and women we are not forced to serve anyone, or anything, against our will, and there is no greater example of that than how God chooses us, and then waits for us to choose Him back through Christ. The God of the universe doesn’t seek to enslave us, but to join with us in a free and open relationship, but even when He sees our choice is to refuse Him, He allows us to make that choice. We are free to choose, or not to choose, to believe in Him...
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
So God chose us before the foundation of the earth, but even so, He waits on us to choose Him, and to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. He extends every spiritual blessing to us, but we must decide now, and in this place, to love Him in return.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love”
Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV
We have come a long way from caveman days when a man could force a woman to be his wife, or medieval times when a conquered people were forced into subservience. Those were barbaric times of slavery and servitude, but although those institutions were established by man, God had a much different plan, and those days are gone.
“Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Exodus 6:6-7 ESV
I met my wife in college, and I fell in love with her, Then after a period of time in which we came to know one another I asked her to marry me. Although I had chosen her, it was necessary that she also choose me. The establishment of our relationship went even further, and I asked her mother and father for their blessing... to choose me as well. You see, my freedom to choose her couldn’t impinge upon her freedom, or her parent’s freedom, and God treats our relationship with Him in much the same way. He chooses us, but before our union can be consummated, and we can become one, we must also choose Him.
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””
Joshua 24:15 ESV
So freedom is more than a solitary, and one sided choice, and it is more than just doing what we like without any consideration for the desires of others. Freedom doesn’t imply that we don’t serve anyone, but instead it allows us a say regarding whom we will serve... or not serve. God has chosen you before the foundation of the earth, and now He is waiting for you to make your choice. Will you choose Him through His Son Jesus, or some other god; perhaps yourself? Now is your moment of freedom, and choice... How will you choose?
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us a freedom of faith, and choosing us before the foundation of creation to extend your loving invitation to. Thank you Jesus for obeying the will of our Father, and extending His love to us so that our choice might be made through you with a full understanding of who He is. Help us Lord to choose Eternity, and to see you clearly as we call you our God. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you the God of freedom, and compassion. Great are you who removes the yoke of slavery from the necks of your children, and allows us to choose who we will serve. Praised be your name for every righteous choice we make in our walk of faith, but especially in the guidance of your Holy Spirit who leads us in understanding as we to choose you to be our Heavenly Father. Have mercy on us Lord in the midst of our indecision, and have patience with us when we tarry in voicing our choices. Great are you, and worthy are you of our “yea“, and “Here am I Lord!” Hold us near Father, and lift us to your Heavenly abode where we will worship, and dine with you forevermore.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6 ESV
Rich Forbes