LIVING FREE
By Andrea Marino When we think about freedom, we generally refer to the ‘rights’ of human beings. Every person is given inalienable - or natural rights from God. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are among them. America’s Declaration of Independence upholds these truths of God, maintaining “all men are created equal”. Living in freedom is based on knowing Jesus and trusting Him. I really enjoy riding my bicycle. I feel free in the open air, a delightful breeze upon my skin. All seems right with the world on my bike. But all too soon I encounter obstacles along my way, glass to avoid and cars coming a little too close for my comfort. I don’t like how intolerant I can be when something or someone gets in my way. But I don’t have to lose heart when disturbances come to take control. “Love covers a multitude of sins,” 1 Peter 4:8. The qualities of love are to liberate us from the not so nice nature that we often default to. Regrettably, the spirit of hate and offense, running rampant through our nation lately is very disturbing. Jesus forewarned about the anti-Christ to come, the ‘man of lawlessness’ and ‘son of destruction’. 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4. Lucifer, the serpent of old, is the thief whose nature is to kill, steal, and destroy. Those displaying his character are far from free. We will offer ourselves to someone as obedient slaves. We will be slaves to moral impurity and lawlessness, or slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:16-18. It’s sad to think anyone would reject the love and freedom that Jesus offers. Even when the fifth bowl of judgment is poured over the earth, there will be those refusing to repent while holding up a fist to God. Revelation 16:10,11. In pride, peo6FAITH | MON AG A ZEVERY INE NAM E CORNER
ple believe they can be their own god. Satan told Eve she could be God if she ate from the tree. Genesis 3:1-5. Disobedience and rebellion are of the devil and result in the loss of freedom. The sixty-first chapter in the book of Isaiah prophesied good news of liberty to the captives. The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Luke 4:18, as spoken from the mouth of Jesus. Everyone needs deliverance from the current world system, corrupted by sin since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden. We all begin life enslaved to sin, subject to its law of death. Each of us must make a choice to serve God or our flesh. “He leaves us perfectly free… that we can spit in His face or put Him to death.” Love isn’t real without the ability to choose. Freedom is not possible apart from love. I drifted away from God a few times in the course of my life. The last time was twenty-five years ago. My youngest child was two years old, and I had returned to work to help support our oldest daughter who was starting college. It was a hectic period of my life; and the song, ‘Free as a Bird’, by Paul McCartney, was popular. As I jogged around a track at a school near my home, the chorus, ‘free as a bird’ played over and over in my mind, sorrow filled my heart and tears began to flow. I cried out to God to help me be free. I knew I wasn’t. It wasn’t the workload I was carrying with four kids, a husband, and a house. It was spiritual bondage. I could feel it; and it made me miserable. Not only had I gotten sidetracked with the trappings of the world in a want of happiness, but I was also needlessly carting around the guilt and shame of my past without knowing why. I thank God for
