The Pathway to Spiritual Freedom

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”  Luke 15:11-24

We live in a day when every group, organization, and individual seems to be saying the same thing: “I want what I want...NOW!” - often with little or no consideration for the rights of others whom they push and shove to have their way. That type of behavior should not surprise us at all. It is normal for the “natural man” to press for his rights.

The underlying motivation for this life is summed up in one word: freedom! And the ultimate gift of freedom is (supposedly) to be able to do whatever one wants to do. That was the first and original lie which caused the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, and it is still around today - deceiving many.

Real freedom is not found in the absence of all restraints but in a trusting submission to the wise laws and principles which God has revealed through His Word. But they are completely set against the mind-set of the “rights conscious” person. In fact, they are death because in order to gain freedom from God, you must give up all your rights. The price is high and many - like the rich, young man in Jesus’ day - must sadly hang their heads and walk away - forever without what they really want.

Could it be that what many fear the most about being a Christian would in fact be the real fulfillment of their greatest desire - freedom?

Dependence upon God is clear evidence of spiritual maturity.