Simple Takeaway:
The world needs mental and emotional freedom more than anything else. Jesus came to give us freedom so we could share it with others. But just like hurt people hurt people, only free people free people. If you’re allowing something to master you, then you will always feel like your life is stuck because your ability to build meaningful relationships is locked down. Drop the would-be masters and submit your actions to the truth – to Jesus – and freedom will overflow to the people around you.
If you live in America, then freedom is one of the most deeply ingrained core values you have. But are you really free?
Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as you want without hindrance or restraint.
Based on that definition, most of us are not free.
We often confuse choices for freedom. We believe that because we have options, that means we’re free. But most of the time we’re living within a box of choices that are pre-defined by what controls us.
And we are slaves to whatever controls us.
Jesus said he came to proclaim freedom to the captives (Luke 4:18). He doesn’t force freedom on us. He proclaims that it’s available to us.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy to be free. You always have to give something up to be free.
Wherever we want to be free in our lives, we have to be willing to give up the pleasure being offered by the things that try to master us.
The greatest deception in life is the illusion that we’re free when we’re actually just choosing the things that control us.
A lot of people “say whatever they want,” but the truth is, their temper controls them.
We all have masters we prefer in our lives.
Laziness can be a master if you decide you love the ease and comfort that it provides more than the freedom of accomplishing what you know you could and should accomplish.
Fear can be a master if you decide that submitting to it keeps you comfortable and safe rather than facing fear to do what you truly you should be doing.
What have you allowed to master you?
2 Peter 2:19 says that we are slaves to whatever masters us.
The truth always sets you free, but not by simply knowing it. Truth only sets you free when you use it to walk away from all the other would-be masters in your life.
Peter said that the way we escape the depravity of the world is by knowing Jesus (2 Peter 2:20). That’s it. Knowing Jesus – walking with him who is the truth – is what sets you free.
Everyone is mastered by something. You and I get to choose our master on a daily basis. And as we choose the Truth as our master, we become free.
Remember: you can’t give what you don’t have.
Just like hurt people hurt people, only free people free people. If you’re not truly free, then people around you can’t be free. If you’re wondering why you don’t seem to be making the impact you would like with your life, take an honest look at what’s mastering you. Slaves can’t free people. You can’t offer something that you don’t have.
That’s a good enough reason to confront what masters you and find freedom for yourself.
The world around us is depending on us to help, serve, love, and lead them to hope, because we are God‘s plan for the world.
Jesus gives us freedom so we can offer it to others.
But if you’re allowing something else to master you, then you’re allowing that thing to withhold freedom from not just you, but from the world around you.
So take an honest look at your life and be aware of the would-be masters who try to make you compromise on the freedom you’ve been given.
Then submit your actions to the truth – to Jesus – and freedom will overflow to the people around you.