FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!

 

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

 

FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!

 

Rom 6:15-16

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

 

           Dr. Charles Stanley defines freedom as “the capacity to exercise choice.” Now, that is concise, but it fits my thoughts this morning. Yesterday we saw the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan to an armed ideology. This ideology would dictate dress codes, dietary rules, and patterns of behavior. Afghanistan is certainly not the only regime that would restrict freedom. We are even seeing certain attempts to control the choices of Americans as well.

 

           In Genesis 2:16 and 17, God granted Adam and Eve “the capacity to exercise choice.” It was freedom but it lacked wisdom and discretion and the result was unpleasant for the entire race. Notwithstanding, the cure is not to remove freedom but to add wisdom, discretion, and even guidance.

 

           Paul explained to the Romans that our real freedom is the capacity to choose our masters. We are servants but we have the capacity to trade places with our owners. It is they and not we who are on the auction block. In making life choices we can control not only the course of life but the outcome at life’s end. It is a powerful freedom.

 

Deut 30:19

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

 

Dear Lord, I’m grateful for the capacity to exercise choice. Now grant me the wisdom that is needed to accompany it. AMEN