Though the following statement sounds like an excerpt from a movie dialogue, it has great truth.”…with great freedom comes a greater responsibility with choices”. Now, for every kid that wishes they could grow up so they don’t have to be told what to do all the time, there is an adult who knows that the freedom to choose what they do comes with a responsibility to manage their life well. Those who don’t make good choices have no one else to pull them out of their mess and no one left to blame but themselves. This aspect of freedom is quite sobering, because it requires dedication, prioritizing, purpose and other traits of responsibility.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
In our new life with God, we hear God say “I freed you from your old way of living, stop trying to move forward looking backward”. We were running around thinking to our selves “i’m an adult, I choose what I want”. The Bible tells us that though we would like to believe that, we were hopelessly bound under a task master called ‘sin’ who controlled our every move. Like a child made to do something, we kicked, screamed, shouted “NO” and hoped some sobbing would change something… but eventually tired and did what sin asked of us. Keep in mind, we thought shouting “NO” meant we were exercising our choice. Now, Jesus comes in and demolishes sin’s power over us and activates our choice to say “yes” or “no” and it holds weight; no more a crying fit on the floor hoping sin would let us go.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14 NIV)
As believers in the complete work of Jesus on our behalf, our freedom from sin should quickly draw us to a place of valuing the freedom to choose ‘life’. We actually do have the option to choose now, it’s no longer a false hope. This is precisely why we are encouraged in scripture constantly to make the right choice. From God’s perspective, His grace and saving power through Jesus is more than sufficient to help you say yes or no rightly. You are no longer left helpless, floundering on the floor hoping your shouts will make the situation change.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)
It is with this backdrop God so confidently calls us to choose to serve Him and walk with Him in holiness. He did everything to get us here and now takes us on by His Spirit who extends grace to help us live right– by choice. Now obedience and service springs out of freewill and not arm twisting obligation. I must stress the importance of depending on what Jesus did and the grace imparted by His spirit every day. Our responsibility as custodians of this freedom is completely insured by Jesus and His Spirit working powerfully in us; not by any well intentioned effort on our part! God is so convinced that what He did in you is sufficient, that He goes as far as to say you are holy and have everything pertaining to life and godliness! What great audacity!!
May we catch the right kind of audacity when we consider living unto God. No hint of prideful service, but an audacious servant boasting in the finished work of Jesus Christ in total freedom!!! I am free to choose life in every situation I face in life. I can now live my life holding nothing back.
Holding nothing back- Tim Hughes
Verse1:
I am chosen, I am free
I am Living for eternity
Free now forever
You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
Yours now forever
Pre-chorus:
And nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Chorus:
My chains fell off
My heart was free
I’m alive to live for you
I’m alive to live for you
Amazing Love, how can it be?
You give everything for me
You give everything for me
Everything
Verse2:
You washed my sin and shame away
The slate is clean: a brand new day,
Free now forever
Now boldly I approach your throne
To claim this crown through christ my own
Yours now forever
Bridge:
I’m free to live
Free to give
Free to be
I’m free to love you
practical church life 