Truly Free?
“I wonder, is it possible live in a free country and yet not really be free?”
John nodded. “Sure. Some of our fellow college students are enslaved to tons of debt. But not me. I’ve been working like crazy to stay financially free. Two side jobs and all these scholarships. No wonder I’m so tired.”
“So, you’d say you’re completely free then?” John’s friend and co-student probed.
“Of course, I am. What kind of question is that?”
His friend, Jason, smiled. “I’m not so sure, John.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Well, if you’re completely free, prove it.”
John squirmed. “How?”
“Be perfectly good for one day. That means you do and think and say everything you should, and nothing you shouldn’t. Deal?”
John thought about the challenge. He considered himself a good person, but he wasn’t sure he could meet that mark. Maybe if he tried…
“All right, I’ll try. You’ll owe me an apology tomorrow when I pass your little test.”
With that, John turned and headed towards his house. He no sooner entered than he discovered some of his favourite collector items were missing from his room. “Braden!” he screamed, anger filling his whole body. Before he knew it, he’d given his brother a piece of his mind. In the middle of his outburst, he remembered Jason’s challenge. Was he really acting the way he should right then?
Just then, his mom told him to take out the trash. “Why is that always my job?” he muttered to himself. Oh dear. Was grumbling really, right?
His evening continued in this manner. John was shocked to discover how often he fell into thinking, saying, and doing things he shouldn’t, even though he was trying so hard.
The next day, he sought out his friend Jason on campus after his first class of the day. “We’ve got to talk.”
Jason smiled as he listened to his friend’s struggles. “You aren’t surprised, are you?” John asked.
Jason shook his head. “Not at all. I just thought maybe you needed to see that slavery can be inside as well as outside. But now that you see it, there’s hope. That is, if you’re willing to face it and receive the freedom offered.”
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (ESV)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)