With the 4th of July coming we love to use the word Freedom. Now the definition of Freedom is: “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” Now that sounds ideal in theory; that we can be free to do what we want, when we want, and how we want, with no one controlling us, but does that work in reality? Honestly “No”
See in real life we need to have boundaries; we need to have some form of control, otherwise our sinful natures will not respect the needs of others causing them pain and hardship. Our sinful natures will not help us do what is best for us either, causing ourselves pain and hardship. It is the downfall of sin.
We must always go back to the fact that God gave us a perfect world to live in, with a freedom invented by Him. He gave us the Ten Commandments; His guide, His boundaries, to help us live and thrive with the freedom He designed. When we look at them in their simplest form we see the first four commands are our guide to respect the one who created us: God. The next command is to remind us to respect those who bring us into this world: our parents. The last five are to remind us to respect each other.
If we follow these simple ten commands we can live in a perfect freedom that will not hinder the joy or rights of others, for they are complete. They remind us freedom is not a personal thing but a community project. May we look to God’s Commands for guidance and not feel they are hindering our freedom. Life is good but with God as our leader life can be great.
Happy 4th of July, and remember we are “One nation under God” and “In God we trust”
Pastor Scott Krohn
Living Word Church