For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Galatians 5:13-15

Dear God, what does this freedom look like? The only way to experience this true freedom is to start with true repentance. That’s the only gateway to the freedom you offer. The person who just says, “God forgives me,” without first coming to the foot of the cross, denying themselves, confessing their sin to you, consciously turning from their sin and then receiving your forgiveness will never experience the freedom you have for all of us.

It’s interesting because freedom is a word I have used with my wife when talking about some friends who seem to be living with a lot of shame and pride. I’ve said, “There is freedom waiting for them if they will just let go of the secrets they are hiding and allow them to be exposed.” In some cases the secrets are what they did that I happen to know about. In other cases they are things that I suspect happened to them. Either way, they seem to be locked into a cycle of deception and angst.

There’s a Dennis Jernigan song where the chorus says, “I wish I could take your heart into my heart. I wish I could show you just how good it feels to let go of the things you know are killing you and cling to the only one who can heal you. But I know if I did then it wouldn’t be you. Cuz you, you’re the only one choosing for you. It’s true.”

Father, let it start with me. Let me know if there is anything I need to bring before your throne, repent, and receive freedom. And help me to know how to offer your gift of freedom to friends and those around me whom I truly love.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen