We are all familiar with the passage: If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. - John 8:36, but how long are you free? What is "free"? In the original it means to make free, set at liberty: from the dominion of sin. So why are so many believers in bondage? This is what we know: Romans tells us that in order to be transformed, you must "renew your minds (Soul). But why? If we have been set free, then why the effort? Why did Paul say that he had to "die" DAILY? This is what I have learned: Once free, you must FIGHT to stay free! By fight, I mean that you must keep the mind renewed.
Prayer and Bible reading is the only way to stay free.
The flesh is at constant enmity with Christ and is competing with the Holy Spirit for your attention focus and commitment. Here is where we are missing it; We cannot pamper our flesh and expect to be Christ-like. We will never make a difference in our own life, our homes, our churches, our nation and the world, if we don't learn to keep the flesh in check. Bondage is crippling the Church because the majority refuse to confront "flesh pampering". I feel a stirring in my spirit that we must come out from the world and be separate! (2 Corinthians 6:17) Some abuse this passage and become legalistic, but this is not what I am talking about. I encourage you to examine your life and be honest. Are you more passionate about NASCAR than foreign missions? Do you look more forward to the game on the weekend than church? Do you read more novels and books than the Scripture? Do you spend more on entertainment than giving offerings to the Lord? To eat what you like, and offer yourself to God on Sunday as a "living sacrifice" is lying to yourself. Be honest and you will see that renewing the mind isn't easy. Satan has crafted a strong seduction to "flesh pampering" and it comes in many, many flavors. This leads to separation from Christ...loss of passion and intimacy. When this happens, you are walking back into the jail cell, and satan is more than eager to slam the door behind you, locking you in the cell with your own actions ans choices. Yes, you can regain freedom, but at what cost? Is it worth it?
Do you really want to stay free, or do you expect Jesus to do all the work?! I encourage you to live the abundant life described in John 10. He paid a high price for you to live in freedom, please don't pay a high price also, only to remain in bondage! I have been on both sides, and there is pleasure in sin for a season...But there is always a price. Are we willing to acknowledge this, or will we turn a blind eye and continue to feed and pamper our flesh?Liberty is a choice. Choose life!