Genesis 2:15-16 (HCSB) 15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat[m] from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”
John 8:30-31 (HCSB) 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,[i] you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Freedom is a concept that is multi-faceted. Freedom politically given does not mean that you are free socially. Freedom socially accepted does not mean that you are free respectfully. Freedom temporarily given does not mean that you are free eternally. Freedom physically given does not mean that you are free emotionally. Freedom emotionally given does not mean that you are free mentally. Freedom mentally given does not mean that you are free spiritually. Again, freedom is a multi-faceted concept that many want you to believe is simple…”if you are free then and only then are free you”. Freedom according to this world’s standard is not that simple phrase!
Adam was born free, spiritually and physically, and was able to partake of the best that has ever been created on this earth. With Adam’s freedom came one restriction – don’t eat of this one particular tree. With Adam’s freedom came the opportunity to display his obedience to The Word and the opportunity to display his discipline to refrain from something that he was told would cause him to spiritually die, and, something that many miss, that spiritual death brings with it bondage. Adam was told to stay away from that thing that would cause his spiritual walk to become a natural walk, that would cause his spiritual connection with The Creator to become severed, that would cause his spiritual image of The Creator to become tarnished, and that would cause him and those after him to need someone to restore that spiritual image, connection and walk. We shouldn’t be too hard on Adam because, for many of us, being told ‘don’t do that’ sounds to us like ‘go do that’.
Family, your freedom is not dictated by some crafty, slick, serpent-minded man, woman, leader, organization or policy. Your freedom is a spiritual freedom that should be displayed in the natural. Your freedom was eternal, brought to earth, and has returned to the eternal. The Word came so that you might be free. I say might as many will not rely on The Word for their eternal freedom. Temporal, political, social, physical, emotional and mental bondage is received the moment you refuse to receive and obey The Creator. Many walk around clothed in what is perceived to be freedom but their freedom is only disguised by events, activities, explosions, and festivities. Many cover up their bondage by busy-ness while telling themselves that they are free and trying to show others that they are free.
Family, if you truly want to be free – obey The Creator. If you truly want to be free – stopping making idols – better understood to be gods – of men, women, organizations, events and festivities. If you truly want to be free – start obeying The Father’s Son and follow His example of always pleasing The Father. If you truly want to be free – start understanding that The Kingdom is at hand and The Father’s desire is for you to be within His Kingdom. If you truly want to be free – start living under the authority of The King who has no beginning nor ending. If you truly want to be free – start living from the mind-set, heart-set and eye-set of eternal freedom has come to you, has come for you, and is available to you so that you can be the glory of The Son as you are afforded each day to live. Let your Freedom Light shine bright as you live each day from (continuing in) The Word that came for you from The Father!
Shalom (Peace)!
Scriptural References:
buildinglivesforeternity.com 