A SCANDALOUS FREEDOM

I am doing this post a bit earlier today, because I just started reading a book that my Dad gave to me. It is called A Scandalous Freedom, by Steve Brown. Read it! I am only on Page 15 and have already had to stop 3 or 4 times and think deeply about the topics he wrote about. It is a truly incredible book! The thing that he discusses deeply in the first chapter is the concept of freedom. Now, you think, "Oh, he is talking about freedom, what a wonderful topic!" Well, that is true, but if you think about it, 95% of the Christian world do not associate the true meaning of the word freedom with the Christian(followers of Christ) faith. Most Christians believe freedom to be, "the ability not to sin", and that is definitely true but it is soooo much more. The word Freedom means free! John 8:32 states, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." You are free to do whatever you want! God does not reward us and give us good things based on what we do. In Chapter 1, he proposes a question: What if I do something bad? Would God still bless me and answer my prayers? His answer- " Yes He will. What God does or does not do in your life rarely has anything to do with how good you are. Your teacher acts like that, not your God. In fact, I preached some of my best sermons when I was doing bad stuff. God wanted to show me something very important. He demonstrated that his fondness for me depended on his love and the cross of Christ, not on my earning it." Romans 5:8 states, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God does not base his love for us on how good we are, or if we ate our wheaties for breakfast this morning. God bases his love for us on grace, which is undeserved favor. God has truly set us free and we do have the option to do whatever we want, but like Paul states in his epistles, " For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence." Look up the definition for the word freedom in the dictionary. That is you! Do not think that God will bless you based on what you do for him. You cannot earn God's favor! We all sin and fall short of God's glory, but you can never fall out of the reach of his grace! Never forget that! Do your best to glorify God with your actions, but do not get down on yourself when you screw up (which is guaranteed). God's love and favor are unconditional! Remember! Thanks for reading!