The land of the free” — these familiar words remind us of the privilege of living in America!
But what do we mean by free?
In today’s world it seems there is confusion. Everyone wants to be free to do whatever they want, regardless of the effect it might have on others around them. No one wants to be accountable for their own choices and actions. No wonder life is so confusing. That kind of freedom just cannot work.
What did Jesus and his followers have to say about freedom?
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - 2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom in God is freedom to choose the good.
“For you were called for freedom ... But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Galatians 5:13-14
This month think about what is holding you back from being the loving, trusting person you were created to be. Could it be that you fear rejection? Are you holding unforgiveness in your heart toward someone who hurt you?
Martin Luther King, Jr., confirmed Jesus words to us when he said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings, 2012
Maybe you have heard that not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die! Even medical science confirms the repercussions of unforgiveness.
“Forgiveness takes moral and emotional strength. Meanwhile, anger and resentment take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health—as well as your relationships. The act of forgiving someone can raise your optimism and mood, while not forgiving and holding resentment is correlated with anxiety, hostility, depression, and major psychiatric disorders, as well as physical health problems.” Stanford Forgiveness Project at Stanford University, 2006
We are citizens of the kingdom of God before anything else. Sharing our faith and God’s love with our needy world is the kingdom work we are called to do.
May the God of freedom give us the grace to forgive freely and love deeply so that we can live as the peaceful people of God.
“… and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:32