Occasionally we hear much about restrictions—they’re supposed to be bad because they limit freedom. Or we hear about rights—they’re supposed to be good because they allow freedom.
But perhaps true freedom is unrelated to either rights or restrictions. What if it’s related to the desires of the heart. Paul had something like that in mind when he said, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Cor. 3:17 NKJV)
How can that be?
But perhaps true freedom is unrelated to either rights or restrictions. What if it’s related to the desires of the heart. Paul had something like that in mind when he said, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Cor. 3:17 NKJV)
How can that be?
When we respond to God in love, He grows fruit in our lives. And, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Gal. 4:22-23)
When the Spirit of the Lord operates in our hearts, we are free from greed, free from competition, free from pretense, free from hate. Even though these are natural human traits, if we let Him, God can gradually remove them and the hurts they’ve created. And then we are truly free. Free to respond with openness to God and to others.
Originally published May 21, 1993.
When the Spirit of the Lord operates in our hearts, we are free from greed, free from competition, free from pretense, free from hate. Even though these are natural human traits, if we let Him, God can gradually remove them and the hurts they’ve created. And then we are truly free. Free to respond with openness to God and to others.
Originally published May 21, 1993.
Picture: Container flowers, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.
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