Really Free

Several years ago I was driving through the streets of Bangalore with a friend from Mumbai. He was astonished at the sight of several cars making illegal turns, in full view of the traffic police!  The police went about their jobs as if nothing unexpected is happening. He remarked that “this would never be tolerated in Bombay-immediately they would be stopped and fined.” My response to him was “hey, this is a free country-we have freedom from the law.”
Several weeks after that incident, I was astounded at the sight of a policeman accepting bribe in the middle of an intersection. The truck was attempting to make an illegal turn, but the traffic police stopped them. They continued to attempt the turn, when the policeman walked in front of the truck with his handout, blowing his whistle signaling them to stop. Finally, a man nonchalantly stepped out of the passenger side of the truck, and put some money into hand of the policeman. The policeman turned around as if he saw nothing, and the truck made the turn. The area was full of vehicles and people, and it was done with no shame, guilt, or hesitance. It was Just “part of the job.”
Paul said in Galatians 5:13, “you, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” In the natural realm, freedom is misused so often that it has almost become the norm. In the spiritual realm, Paul is encouraging believers to use spiritual freedom with responsibility.
No longer are we bound to the sinful nature. We have been freed from the clutches of sin. Now, we are free. This freedom was free to us, but not cheap. Jesus paid dearly on the cross. It is our responsibility to use our freedom in a way that brings glory to God. Others should observe our lives and say, “look, they are not bound like we are. They are really free!”
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