October 24, 2011 Response to Freedom

Loving Response to Freedom
Read Romans 7

Romans 7:5-6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

WE LIVE in a country that cherishes its freedom. We live based on what we like to do and want to do within the limits of the laws of the land. But to make the most of that freedom, to truly enjoy the blessings of our freedom, we have certain responsibilities as citizens. Voting, volunteering, engaging in debate, helping one another—these are some of the basic responsibilities of our republic. We are often told to cherish our freedom because men and women have died defending this precious gift.
The Apostle Paul is expressing the change that has come in the world because Jesus has founded a new “country”—the Kingdom of God. Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven, God’s Kingdom began, and we get to be citizens in this Kingdom.
How does that happen? It happens when we understand what Jesus has done, we ask him to forgive our sins, and we call him, “Savior”. The way we understand is through
the Holy Spirit, who comes to teach us how to live in our new freedom that releases us to lovingly respond to Our Savior, who died to free us.
Yes, in Jesus, we are free now to serve our Savior “in the new way”—serving with our heart, not because a law tells us to serve.
My friend, you are free when you have faith in Jesus. Being free in him, you will enjoy the pleasure of serving him in his Kingdom forever.


Pause and Consider: what you will do today to celebrate your freedom, to gratefully and lovingly serve God.