True Independence

‘It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows’. Galatians 5:13 MSG

Most countries were previously governed by colonial masters before eventually gaining their freedom on a certain day. These days are usually commemorated annually as public holidays and sometimes are used as a time to reflect changes and progress made so far. America celebrates her independence from the British Government on the 4th of July while Nigeria celebrates hers also on the 1^st of October yearly. Although these colonial masters have left, some of their culture and customs are adapted in several areas while in other areas there is a total deviation from what was practised by the colonial masters. Everyone loves freedom and even sometimes as Christians we encounter problems dealing with the true extent of our freedom.

Paul told the Galatians that our former lives without Christ can be likened to being under the bondage of slavery to a slave master, Sin. When we were colonized by sin, we did not have any option but to do as it bid us to, but now that we have been set free by Christ we should not use this freedom to do as we please .Rather our new found freedom should serve as a platform to serve our new master, Christ as we serve one another in love. It means that whatsoever we do, there should consideration for our fellow brethren.

True freedom means being able to choose. We   are able to say truly that “although I have the liberty to do this, I choose not to do it”. Any freedom that does not allow one exhibit the power of choice is not genuine (1 Corinthians 8:8-13). A person who has genuinely broken free from alcoholism can look at another glass and walk away.

It s also interesting to note that it is for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1). This freedom comes from our knowledge of the truth of the Word (John 8:32).There is no need inventing new laws that further burden the people of God and do not lead to righteousness(Colossians 2:21-23). Most times these additional laws only serve as boasting points from which we sometimes condemn others.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us use it as a time to reflect on how true our own freedom is and this can be measured by how much we are serving one another.

Happy Independence Day.

Grace Tom-Lawyer