Dear Friends and Family,

If we had to pick one word that best describes our country, my choice would be Freedom. Our individual freedoms and rights are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

We sing about our freedom at sporting events – O’er the land of the free…

And we argue, fight and even divide over the freedoms we want. Slavery. Voting. Abortion.

So, what exactly is freedom?

Paraphrasing the philosopher John Stuart Mill, the world’s version of freedom is the right to do whatever we want – unless it harms others.

It’s this mindset of living a life free of restrictions that turn many, especially young ones, away from the church.

Their thoughts go something like this:

Why should I bother obeying God’s laws? There are no consequences. Are we not saved by faith and not works? All my sins have been covered. Besides, my choices are not harming anyone.

But let me ask – are we really able to live lives free of restrictions?

No. Look at marriage for example.

What happens to a marital relationship if one or both spouses decide to do as they please?

Experience shows that love and relationships will not grow unless both parties sacrifice some freedom to serve one another.

Simply put, having it your way may work at Burger King, but not at home. 

Conversely, what happens when we make small sacrifices for each other?

Many of us have experienced what can only describe as a very special feeling deep inside our hearts when we make those sacrifices.

This special feeling is our minds and hearts being liberated. It’s the freedom Jesus spoke of.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32 NIV

Two verses later, Jesus explained what we are freed from.

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 NIV

If you ever had something or someone other than Jesus at the center of your life, did you notice that what you had was never enough? 

Money? Power? Yourself? The sins of this world are addictive. And once your heart is captured, Jesus is the only means of escape.

Let’s close with a few thoughts to share with your special friend who left the church. 

Contrary to popular understanding, obeying Jesus does not lead to restrictions, it leads to freedom.

Freedom is found not in living without any restrictions, but in living according to the right restrictions.

In love always,