Free--to be me!

What you do when you have no restraints or when no one is looking is who you really are. We rejoice in such freedom, but we find that, in the end, we become slaves to desire. The pleasures fade, so we need a more emotional experience, a more intensive fix, or ....

Scripture declares "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." We rejoice in that, but we forget that with such freedom comes responsibilities. Sin is removed, as well as the resulting guilt and the power it had over us. We are no longer bound to it! But we then have chosen to be slaves or bond-servants to Jesus.

An illustration of this is found in Exodus 21:5-6. The servant voluntarily gave up his freedom which was legally his (see 1-4), because of the love he had for his master and his own family. After having his ear pierced by an awl into the doorpost of the house (like a contract, maybe illustrating being bound?), he became a slave for life.

Whatever the master desired is what the slave desired to do. And isn't it true for Christians as well? We chose to submit to Jesus--no one should be coerced or shamed into doing so. As Lord and Master (one Greek term for this can be transliterated as "despot"), we willingly do his will. Our goal should be, as Jesus' life illustrated, "I always do what pleases him."

Sure, we are free to disobey. But then we are saying, in effect, "I have my rights!" As a slave, though, do I have any rights? (Hint--no) To whom am I responsible? (Hint--God) And for whom am I responsible? (Hint--Galatians 5:13) Will there be an accounting? (Hint--you betcha!).