We are Free

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. Galatians 5:13 (The Message)

During our vacation last week, we spent a lot of time glued to the TV, either watching the horrors of a terrorist's actions on an Army base or hours of debate on an ambiguous health care bill. It appears that our sense of safety and security in this land of the free and home of the brave is shaky. Yet, as I proudly raised my flag on Veteran's Day, I reflected on the willingness of men and women to sacrifice their lives for my freedom. What a privilege, but also what a responsibility. I remember telling my children, as they were growing up, that if they proved themselves to be responsible, then certain privileges would follow. However, if they chose to break the rules, it would be a long time before I could trust them again with those same freedoms. Curfew is a good example. The same holds true in our Christian walk. God made us to be free and gave us power over all that we could see. However, Adam and Eve chose to break the rules and ruin the perfect environment that God made for them. The consequences follow us to this day. Paul, in Galatians, can't figure out why these new Christians are going back to their old sinful ways. He reminds the new Church again and again that the rules of the law have been met in Jesus. It is faith that has made us whole. We are free. The same Heavenly Father who created us will continue to hold us when our world looks unstable. I encourage you to take Paul's admonition and don't fall back on old habits that bind. It is only in freedom that we are able to serve.