Slaves no more

Galatians 5:1  (NASB)

¹ It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

What comes to mind when you think of “freedom?” For me, it is living in a land where I am not ruled by a set of regulations that can get me killed if I do something minor (minor in my culture, anyway) like shake a man’s hand, or look at a man besides my husband.. or refuse to marry a man 20 years my senior when I am only a child. I am thankful to have been born in America. I am free to live, work and worship as I choose. I am free to marry whomever I choose.

I do have another kind of freedom. I have freedom in Christ. Too many non-believers think being a “Christian” is a drag on their lifestyle, when it is actually quite the opposite. There is such a freedom in the Christian life. It is true freedom. Freedom to live unselfishly and live a life serving others and Jesus.

Living unselfishly is difficult on the best days, because I tend to want certain things at a certain time and that time is usually now. It’s a little silly, I know, but it works. Rather, it doesn’t really work, because if I do things in my own time for my own purposes I typically screw up whatever opportunity God placed before me.

This verse is about living a life that is impossible to live unless you know Jesus. There are Christians out there who like to make up rules, methods or use special conditions to make someone “saved” or to allow them to grow in Christ.  A real Christian will tell you that is absolutely, without a doubt, the biggest bunch of bunk they’ve ever heard. Jesus did not die on a cross for us to give us a whole new set of rules. He died on the cross to give us freedom from the old set of rules.

In my freedom as a Christian and in exploring the dating world, I can choose who I want to spend time with. Christ gives me the discernment to know who should and should not be a part of my life. Some people are there only for a season. Some for many. I like the ones who stay around longer.. it gives some consistency to my life.

What is your opinion on freedom in Christ?