FREEDOM!

By: Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Bible Church NWA, Celebrate Recovery, TEAM Training Coach 7/3/19


Brother number 1 was born a rebel.  His idea of freedom was to step across all boundaries and do whatever he desired.  He was always in trouble as a kid because he never obeyed.  As a teenager, he wanted to try everything.  He spent a lot of time in Juvenile Detention and as soon as he could move out on his own, he did.  It wasn’t long before he was incarcerated and even in prison, he made choices that ended with him sitting in an 8x5 dark solitary room.
Brother number 2 always felt that his borders were there to protect him.  He obeyed his parents and as he grew and matured his boundaries were expanded.  He chose to work hard while in school and chose to participate in groups that seemingly put more restrictions on his life.  He attended church, volunteered for community service and worked part-time at the local grocery store sacking groceries for customers.  He graduated college, got a good job, married and had kids.  He continued going to church, serving his community and eventually became Mayor of his town.  He had people he loved all around him.  He had joy and he had peace.
Which brother was actually free?  Some would say that freedom is the ability to choose to do whatever I want.  The problem is, that kind of freedom only enslaves me to the very thing I think I am free to do.  True freedom is living under God’s authority in Jesus Christ.  I have made lots of bad choices in my life and have been enslaved to those choices.  The only choice that has truly freed me has been the choice to follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  At Celebrate Recovery I have learned that I am free to NOT look at pornography.  I am free to NOT be bitter at my divorce.  I am free to NOT let guilt and shame permeate my life.  I hope this email finds you living in FREEDOM!  Live free my friends.  Happy 4th of July!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32

“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:18

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Click HERE to listen to "It Was For Freedom" by Kelly Parks

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