I am an American.
If you had to digest the idea of America down to a single word………it would probably be “freedom”.
We are………”the land of the free”. Freedom is what makes us different………it is what makes us special…..and we are special, despite what the talking heads and many of our leaders tell us………freedom defines us.
But what is freedom?
There is an interesting relationship between freedom and rules.
It turns out that these ideas are not opposites.
The absence of rules is not freedom. The absence of rules………is anarchy.
These ideas are not the same.
The presence of rules is not freedom. The 625 rules of the old testament law did not lead to freedom……you can make a good argument that they led to slavery. Far too many Christians……and secular humanists for that matter…….think that rules are what Christianity is all about. Do this…….and don’t even think about doing that!
Freedom, however is much more subtle than that.
Freedom is the product of being who we were created to be……..of doing the job that we were created to do……of existing in the relationships that we were created for……..and that requires us to seek out our place……..our purpose…….our identity. Some do it well……they get very close………others struggle through an entire lifetime in a pigeon hole that just never seems “right”. They try so hard to create their own identity. And they usually find one………typically, an identity that aligns with their appetites. Then they spend a lifetime pursuing appetites that just don’t satisfy. And there’s the rub. It turns out that we do not get to choose our identity…….our place……. our purpose. It has already been chosen for us.
We do not get to choose our identity. It has already been chosen for us.
It seems odd that we become free, fulfilled, even satisfied by following a path that was defined by someone else…….but it is true. You are not going to create a new unique identity. You are not going to become a unique snowflake…….and neither am I. Ultimately, we are both going to follow some entity. So…….whom do you decide to follow?
The “who” of this decision will determine the success of your life. You will be influenced by many ideas. The burning question is this: when push comes to shove…….when two ideas are in conflict…….to whom do you turn as the final arbiter.
Who is your ultimate guide?
There are countless organizations screaming at you every day…….trying to herd you into their flock……. progressives, conservatives, secular humanists, atheists, and …….yes……Christians. No matter how confident you are in your choice of identities……..you are following someone and his or her ideas.
You can probably name the person/entity that you follow……….try it.
If you believe in Darwinism…….then I have no answer for you. You are a biochemical accident. There is no overarching truth. The only hard rule is that you must broadcast your DNA as widely as possible. Make your way as best you can. Do as you please……….and so will the other guy. But, understand that Darwinism…….the absence of an overarching, absolute………truth puts society and you on the anarchy end of the spectrum…….and the last year or so sure looks that way.
If you believe in rules……..things are not much better. Our government will gladly provide you with plenty of rules. Follow as many of them as you can…….and hope that the other guy does too. But understand that rules put society on the slavery end of the spectrum.
Where is the answer………where is the key to living a successful life…..where is the truth?
I believe in a creator…….. God, who loves me, cares for me, and wants my life to succeed……no matter how wonderful today looks……..no matter how black today looks. He has a long range plan for my well being.
He gives me the credo that will lead to a successful life.
Love God……Love my neighbor.
Yeah….. Yeah….you say……I’ve heard this all before.
But, imagine a world where everyone followed this credo……..can you honestly say that it wouldn’t work…….can you honestly say that your plan……or (fill in the blank)’s plan is better.
I think that God……..the creator………my creator……Abba……..is on to something. And I am trying hard to follow his plan for me…….even when it is in conflict with my appetites. And every now and then, I have a whole day when I actually pull it off.
And guess what?…………it works.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Paul. NIV
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father .” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Paul, NIV
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus NIV
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Paul. NIV
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus, NIV