Sunday, August 1, 2010

Freedom Or Chains?

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."

-- Titus 3:3

We sometimes think that doing what we want and getting everything we desire would give us incredible freedom. It's that old belief that if we suddenly won millions in the lottery, then life would be perfect. Not really. Rather than giving us freedom, getting everything we want enslaves us.

Think about it. Does shopping make you happy? Many people would say yes. It's fun to go and try on clothes and find the perfect outfit and accessories. That big screen TV would be awesome in your home. What about a new car? Wow. Shopping can be a lot of fun. The resulting debt? Not so much. The shopping made us feel free to pick and choose. But that "freedom" enslaved us to credit card bills and loan payments that strain our budgets.

Or maybe you're feeling a little bored in your marriage. That person at work gets you. Really. He or she laughs at your jokes, sympathizes when life gets you down and makes you feel desirable with all that flirting. What could it hurt to have a little fun on the side? You deserve to be with someone who cares about you. It's your choice, after all. The consequences? Guilty lies, shattered trust, a broken marriage and kids shuffled between two homes because your "freedom" destroyed their lives and yours.

We teach children rules for their own good. Don't cross the street without looking both ways. Don't get into a car with a stranger. We teach them rules because we want them to be safe. Yeah, we want them to be happy too. But we don't let them play in the street just because they say it makes them happy. We know the danger so we do all we can to keep them safe.

That's how God is with us. He gives us rules. They're called the Ten Commandments. He's also included all kinds of circumstances and standards throughout the Bible. He didn't do it to take away our freedom. Remember, He gave us that freedom to begin with. God gave us rules because He wants to keep us safe. He wants us to be happy and He knows that sin only enslaves us.

The next time you decide to assert your freedom, stop and think a moment. It just might be that your freedom is really just Satan's way of wrapping you up in chains.