So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36, ESV
“The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.” Einstein
The questions of our times: Do we look within and decide for ourselves who we are? Or do we look outside ourselves and rise to become more than we are?
The first question leads people to what they believe is freedom, but their lives become a new kind of bondage. The second leads to a life we could not have imagined on our own, yet a life that may at times be more challenging.
Do you decide or let God decide?
“There are two freedoms – the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought.” Charles Kingsley
Many choose the false way. The true way is harder, at first. It is harder to do what we ought to do, but the reward comes later.
Having made the right choices makes life better.
We see the results of people choosing their own way, lives broken by irrevocable choices. You can’t restore the marred bodies of children and babies, of men and women.
Suicide and drug overdose deaths are at all-time highs.
In choosing the harder way, we can show others the better way.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 ESV
True worship makes life better and helps us find freedom from ourselves, freedom in Christ.
Joe Carter writes for the Gospel Coalition: “Frequent churchgoers aren’t merely benefiting from a useful delusion or a sense of community. They are finding the relief—the psychological and spiritual relief—that comes from aligning oneself with the true and ultimate reality. What we find in frequent worship services is helping us fulfill the purpose of life, what we could call biblical happiness: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “
Even so, choosing the harder way means more than loving those like ourselves.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45, ESV
Choose true freedom. Walk in the harder way. Show that way to others.
Reap the joy of living out truth.
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Powerful, soul-piercing truth, Nancy. This quote underscored your message so well: “There are two freedoms – the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought.” Charles Kingsley
Lord, help us choose the hard way, Your way, the only real way to freedom. God bless you, Nancy, as you point others to freedom in Christ!
Amen and thank you Melissa. God bless!
The walk may be hard, but we can rest assured God is with us. Great message, Nancy.
We can, indeed, Melissa. Thanks and God bless!
Great truths, Ms. Nancy. Ones that lead us to be honest with ourselves. Choosing the path that seems right to us is not always right to God. Great points made, my friend. Thank you!
Thanks for reading, sharing, and commenting, JD. God bless!
“Do you decide or let God decide?” Nancy, that is the heart of so many areas of life. Will we trust our Creator’s assessment of who we are and how we are to live or not? Great article!
Thanks, Debbie. It’s a question for us every day. God bless!
That Einstein quote is outstanding, about liberation from the self. It’s so true how following the narrow path, the Jesus way, is THE key to true fulfillment.
Thank you, Jessica. It’s a simple, yet profound principle. God bless!
Great message Nancy especially as I look around us. So many, even churches, seem to be picking the easy way by looking inward. I pray I can always remember to seek God’s harder way for myself
Amen, Yvonne. May He give us the grace and strength to choose His way always. God bless!
These are wonderful insights about true freedom. When you find that in Christ, the resulting life truly is beyond imagination.
It truly is, Annie. Thanks and God bless!
This is so powerful, “In choosing the harder way, we can show others the better way.” A thousand Hallelujahs to that. The narrow way of God is never easy. It requires complete surrender.
It does. His burden is light–but only because He goes with us on the hard way. Thanks, Karen. God bless!