STAND FAST, MY SISTERS!

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by
which Christ had made us free...(Gal. 5:1)

Power can be as intoxicating as any drug and there's none so heady as the power of choice!  You may recall as a child how you sulked when your parents wouldn't let you go places you had your heart set on or spend your own money on things they didn't approve!  No doubt you dreamed of the day when you could do as you pleased and make your own decisions.  I did!

Well, Carp Diem: Seize the day!  In God's infinite wisdom, He created mankind with something called free will.  This means that we can make decisions, good ones and bad ones, but here's the catch--we make the choices, but God chooses the consequences!

As a Christian we have tremendous liberty!  We are not ruled by instinct like animals.  We are no longer bound by the laws of man as a means of proving our salvation. We are created a little lower than the angels (Psalms 8:3-6) and we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:19).  You would think this fact alone would make decision making very easy.  Well, think again!

The next time you get in your car take a look at the speedometer.  You'll see that most cars in good repair can accelerate up to 120 M.P.H. but the legal speed limit in the U.S. doesn't exceed more than 70 M.P.H.!  Okay, we'll give the state of Texas a little slack I think they can max out around 85.  But this is not the norm.  In any case, you must make a choice.  Do I obey the law or exercise my free will?  Does Ford or Chrysler care if you endanger your life or someone else?  Perhaps, but the manufacturer assumes you will use good judgment.  Just because you have the liberty to go 120 M.P.H., doesn't mean you have to.

The apostle Paul says the same thing.  Just because, you can sin, doesn't mean you should or even have to!  Once we've experienced God's grace we no longer operate in the realm of sin, even if that sin is legal.  We are free from the power of sin (John 8:34-36).  To sin willfully shows poor judgment and its consequences can be devastating to your spiritual life.

Independence Day, July 4th, our nation's birthday is only a couple of weeks away. So go ahead, do your thing!   Celebrate this holiday with all the gusto you have!  Exercise your freedom--your freedom NOT to sin!