The Relationship that Brings Freedom
" Freedom refers, in a very general sense, to the state of being free (i.e.: unrestricted, unconfined or unfettered).
Question: What things hold us down/keep us restricted?
There are SO many things that this world offers us that can keep us restricted in our relationship with God. One thing that I personally struggle with is STUFF. The media constantly hounds us with life saving products such as 'ipods', computer software that will change your life forever, clothes that will make you the best fashion statement that ever lived and cars that will permanently enhance your personality and make you more popular than ever.
Sometimes everyday activities can hold us down, even key compartments in our lives can get out of hand and over run us and control us, even simple things like office work!
Things that take over the time we want to spend with God ultimately affect our relationship with God. They can hinder us from hearing His voice and following what He wants us to do. The emotions that control us in a negative way and the thoughts that we shouldn't have hold us down from an incredible freedom that God offers. The Bible calls this sin.
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even while we were dead in our sins-it is by grace we have been saved.
Ephesians 2v4
Jesus came for us to take on the punishment that our sin deserves-not because He wants us to 'get away with it', but because He wants to show us GRACE-just like I got shown grace from my Head Teacher with biting Steven Small!! (Steve….if you're reading……I hope I didn't scar you……..)
So why don't we have another look at what this verse means: there are some things to clarify here:: (briefly)
Great love for us
God's love for us is GREAT. It is bigger than the creation of the Universe. It is so great that He invites us into relationship with Him….and leaves us to choose
Rich in mercy
Mercy is getting freedom when we don't deserve it. It is also when God doesn't Judge us-not because He is letting us 'get away with it' but because He wants to give us eternal life.
Think of something that you have done……and been shown mercy
Alive in Christ
This may make no sense at all. How can we be alive in someone else? Arent we already alive?
Dead in our sins
It says in the Bible that our sin makes us dead-it hurts us in ways that we may not realise and it moves us away from God. Being alive in Christ means that He was killed for our sins-that was mercy.
By Grace we have been saved
Because of all this 'sin' and stuff that takes us away from God, we were lost. And God could have left us to be lost…..but because He is full of Mercy (remember, that thing that we got from God-even though He didn't need to) He sent His son to die and get raised to life again on behalf of us.
And at the end of all this, He invites us into a great relationship. Think of a great relationship you have in your life. Mine is Gemma. She is my best friend and I love spending time with her because we know each other so well that we can freely share everything that we are going through in our lives. We have been through loads together even from when we were small, and we will continue to for the rest of our lives. And that is exactly what God wants with us-a relationship.
In relationship with God, He shows us new boundaries, which are different from what the world says freedom is. The world says that freedom is being 'self reliant' or 'free from politics and war'. But God says this….
'My yoke is easy and my burden is light'.
Jesus means that His terms and conditions are different from what the world asks and all they require is that we give our entire lives to Him.
Massive isn't it.
But you know that there is an incredible freedom in God's relationship. In His relationship we find GRACE to have each day, PROVISION and COMFORT for all times, DISCIPLINE from a loving Father to keep us on the right track.
Remember that I told you that I had massive decisions in my life to make and God said 'no'? He showed me His Heavenly Freedom. The world would have told me to do what I liked, but God said 'no, go this way'. Not because He doesn't want me to have any fun or anything, but because He has something else planned for my life. And when I made that decision to follow what He has for me, I felt a release and a great…..well…..freedom!! Even though it was hard to follow what He asked me and it hurt, He knows best. He really does know best. And I can see now that it was the best for me. And that tells me that He really truly loves me.
So today, have a think about the relationship that God offers to you. Think about the freedom that the world offers, and how chaotic that can be!!
'Freedom is just chaos, with better lighting'
And then think about God's boundaries.
He is a LOVING Father that knows you better than anyone else in your entire life. He offers you new boundaries because He can see that bigger picture. He wants you to grow into the person He has created you to be.
God offers FREEDOM in His relationship to YOU.
Lots of love
Amy x
