In the beginning, the prophet Moses tells us that God created man and he was “free” to eat from any tree in the garden except for one (Genesis 2:15–18). But, Adam didn’t listen and Moses tells us that Adam and his wife ate the fruit from the forbidden tree.
Adam freely chose to disobey God like a third of the Angels in heaven, he played a GAME OF THRONES. And sin entered human history because of one bad choice. I’m not sure about anyone else reading this, but I have made mistakes in my past that have wreaked havoc on my life ever since as well.
My poor choices are a result of the freedom given to us. For me, it started when I was a teenager and I walked away from the church to live MY LIFE how I pleased and I made a mess of it. Like Adam, I went looking for love in the wrong places. Although, I loved God.
A recent Barna poll reveals that a third of teenagers have walked away from the church altogether, in spite of their parents’ efforts to raise them in the church. Personally, I’m not surprised. Rebellion has been going on since those tragic events in the garden. God made us free, that is what this special July 4th blog will be about, freedom. For I BELIEVE we need to STOP PLAYING WITH IT!
FREE?
I decided to LOOK UP the word free and was amazed by what I saw. Out of the many definitions given by Webster’s, one caught my attention: “Enjoying personal freedom: not subject to the control or domination of another.”
That definition my attention, because I was always told growing up that sin is fun. ALRIGHT, no one had to tell me—I knew that sin was fun, that’s why we do it. Like with Eve, it’s “appealing” to our eyes.
It’s a travesty, we think we’re free—but we’re really slaves to our sin. I know, because most days it’s hard for me to say NO TO MYSELF. I can’t control my desires, my heart or even my thoughts. What a wretched man I am (Romans 7:24). If something will satisfy me or make me happy, IMA JUST DO IT and run wild.
Praise God, He is in control! The gospel message tells us there is hope and we can be free again. John tells us that it is through Christ, we can be FREE INDEED (John 8:36).
Yes, there is freedom in and through Christ! But, this freedom isn’t a license to do whatever we want and live without the consequences of our choices. Having free will doesn’t mean we will always make the right decision—it’s more likely that we won’t, because we aren’t sovereign or omnipotent. No, God doesn’t control us like some lifeless puppets.
The apostle Paul encouraged the church of Galatia to use their freedom to serve God and others—not themselves or their sinful desires (Galatians 5:13-14).
But, when I look at the world and the stupid choices many make out of free will, I can’t help but SMH. Not much has changed since man left the SANCTURARY of the garden; we are still full of pride and ARROGANCE. We’re still chasing nothing through our bad choices.
CHOICES?
The Bible ends with the Apostle John’s Revelation of those who Jesus has freed from their sins and bad choices (Revelation 1:5-6). The rest of it is a ledger of those who have chosen to follow Jesus, it is these saints who are free at last. Jesus told His disciples to seek God first, not pleasure or even happiness.
This is why it’s important to make wise choices in how we live our lives, now. That’s why I’ve chosen to wait on God’s timing for marriage, because it’s for BETTER OR WORSE. FOREVER WE WILL BE one. No matter what the U.S. Supreme Court or the majority decides—God defines marriage. Just like in the garden, God sets the TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
And unlike us, God doesn’t make mistakes. While working on this blog U.S. Olympic hero Bruce Jenner decided that he wanted to be a woman, after sixty-five years of living as a man. My mentor would say, “Good grief!”
Also, social media and the media markets were overtaking by the story of an NAACP leader who decided to change her race to black. But, what these two have failed to realize is simple as black and white, God is in control!
For the Christians reading this, we need to reevaluate our faith and choose like our forefather Joshua (Joshua 24:15). We can’t wobble back-and-forth between God’s ways and our ways like control freaks. For it is only in God that we can truly have freedom.
