Saturday 31 May 2008

True freedom

I always find it remarkable how good the devil is at convincing us that the things of the present age offer freedom.

We see it all around. People think that engaging in drugs, materialism, sex in the wrong context, gossip, pornography, fashion, masturbation, over-eating and even things like the desire to be popular or the drive to 'get to the top' are all acts that we can engage in and enjoy because we are free.

But as we look around at society these things all too easily become an addiction and a force for destruction. The fact of the matter is, we live in "the present evil age". Satan has freedom to deceive and destroy, and the world is in bondage. And Satan, "the god of this age", is doing a very good job at blinding people to the truth, so that they cannot see "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ". What people think is freedom is actually slavery.

The Bible speaks right into these expressions of 'freedom' when it says "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved". (2 Peter 2:19)

The Bible cries out in response BE FREE! Don't be deceived by the lies of this age. There will always be just one enslaving fashion after another.

The wisdom of this age is folly in the light of eternity. What is the truth? What it true freedom, from God, in this present age? It is the thing that looks most unlikely - the cross of Jesus. This death is the only true thing that can set us free. When Christ went to the cross, he set millions of captives free, unmasking the devil's conspiracy to deceive and breaking his power.

But those of us who have seen this truth have no reason to boast. We're not the clever ones who have managed to spot the lies and get away from it. No - the God who said 'Let light shine out of darkness' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. His miraculous work in our hearts - akin to creating light from darkness(!) - is the only reason that we are free - we have been set free.

So lets no longer be convinced by the enslaving, deceiving lies of this world that seem so convingly to offer freedom, but only really offer slavery. Lets instead follow Christ. Yes, we will be aliens in a foreign land. Yes, sometimes it is hard, and it means denying ourselves of things that can seem so appealing. Yes, it is costly. But we will be free.

1 comment:

Cathy said...

This is so true. Yet so difficult to remember in the midst of temptation.

I wrote this down ages ago, I think it may be from A Purpose Driven Life...

"Temptations keep us dependent upon God. Just as the roots grow stronger when wind blows against a tree, so every time you stand up to a temptation you become more like Jesus!"