Have You Got a Problem with Freedom

So many today would enthusiastically dub themselves a "freedom fighter," but when "push comes to shove," it turns out they have a problem with freedom in its purest form.  Well, truth be known, freedom will downright scare the hell out you... in a fallen, sin-ridden world, that is.  I don't think we can really fathom pure, raw, unadulterated freedom... you know, the God-kind.  Yet, that is exactly what Father offers.

Sure, we tout it, here in the States, as the very foundation on which our nation was formed, and indeed it is to a degree, but only to a degree.  For even that brand of freedom necessarily must have limitations imposed upon it in order to govern, or, perhaps more accurately said, to protect, society's application thereof, due to the inherent sinfulness of man.  In other words, because we are sinful by nature (it is all that we know, apart from, and prior to, being regenerated in spirit), we have an instinctive inclination to act of our own self-interest, not to mention, self-preservation, and regrettably, at the expense of others.  When we do not have governance from within (our spirit), it must be imposed from without (the law), if, in fact,we are to protect one another from the misuse, or abuse, of each other.

When one does not know intimately, and thus is not able to act upon, the love of Father (equated in our day by the simple claim of a title: "Christian"), it can not be expected that Love would, by any means, determine one's actions toward another.  And, therein lies the "necessity" for law (a.k.a. government).  I submit that law will not be necessary, at all, when love rules the day.  Love has no need of law.  Never has, never will.

But, unfortunately, for now, we live on planet earth, that knows not the Father's love.  So, for now, we get to learn how to function in the freedom which Christ has afforded us, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, while yet in physical subjection to earthly law (to a degree).   But, Papa is ever aware of the conundrum in which we find ourselves, and is ever ready to reach out again and again to help us navigate this broken world.

By the way, don't you think God knew all of this, when He gave us the Ten Commandments?  And then, more importantly, when He gave us Jesus... to declare our freedom, not only from sin's Vice Grip, but from any outward system of governance, then resulting.

Jesus introduced a freedom to now fully know, and walk in... in fact, to be governed by, a new and complete freedom from Law, while at the same time operating in the freedom to love, like His Dad does.  And, I know that just ticks some people off.  It royally irritates those among us who can put a lot of stock in their own abilities.  Talk about feeling stripped!  Not to mention those who have a dependence on my compliance with the same mentality that enforces those laws.  Yep.  Jesus was a definite and direct threat to the day's establishment.  And, so are Christ-followers, by the way.

Jesus offers an exchange.  One for the other.  Law for Love.  And, that's where freedom gets downright messy.  Scary to some, even.  And, to the Pharisee, whose built his entire life and livelihood on his own ability to outwardly align himself with the Law, it's proven really to be an unacceptable deal.  For, it would seem that it requires too big a sacrifice of "control" over one's own destiny (an illusion, in and of itself).  I think it's related to the whole "camel through the eye of a needle" analogy from Jesus, given in the book of Matthew.  I know that was talking about wealth, but nonetheless, it dealt with what he, himself, had amassed, that stood in the way... of life.  I suppose Jesus really does serve as a "Stone of Stumbling" and a "Rock of Offense" (Romans 9:33) when He offers us freedom from the cruel tyranny of self(-effort).   That kind of freedom is a rather humbling thing, isn't it?  Yet so beautifully wrapped in the gift of his Love.

Lastly, it may be one thing for me to be free, and to begin to walk in Love, but when you start talking about that same kind of freedom and love for everyone, then look out!  Because, everything, as we know it, will turn upside down.

I challenge myself to explore the depths of what it really means, in all its many layers, to offer true pure freedom... to everyone.  The implications are mind-boggling, and in all honesty, in some Pharisaical sense, even disturbing to my little pea-brain, that's just beginning to grasp the wonder of this Father.