live a free man
“I am God, your personal God who rescued you from Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely.” (Leviticus 26:13)
Sometimes, it sounds so black and white with God. Follow His commandments, walk with Him with a steadfast heart and you will find favour. Don’t and suffer the repercussions.
The idea of obeying Christ sounds almost archaic nowadays. Maybe because for those that do, or really strive to, they seem to impose a sense of judgement on those who don’t. I can see why - God is equally as harsh in these passages, and such people feel it’s their moral duty to remind others as such.
What I want to know is, who is this God who has the power to pour blessings or curses on those on Earth? Is He temperamental? Is He quick to pour down wrath? Who is He?
I guess that’s why I find a connection with the above verse. Because amidst all the consequences we reap for our sin, He reminds us who He is. He is the God who rescues. He saves us from a life of sin, of forever missing the Greater Calling and purpose He’s called us to. It’s not our destiny to walk in the shadow of curses, but to live free. For it was for freedom that Christ set us free. We are not slaves. We are free.
It is the choice I face everyday - live as a slave, or live a free man. Go back to Egypt - a place where I was a cog in the corporate machine, used for I could do, fed a diet of women and wine so I could lose my soul - or live free from it all, in pursuit of the calling created by the Master. It is a choice I make everyday. And while no one can see it, my father knows how and what path I choose. Choose slavery and I suffer in the agony. Choose freedom and I walk into sonship.
So why shouldn’t he get flaming mad? When he sees me squander every part of my created fibre on empty, soulless idols, I’m surprised he hasn’t burnt me to a crisp. He hasn’t because he believes. Because of the faithhopelove he has invested in me. Because he never fails, never quits, always perseveres, always believes.
Oh Father. If only I saw me through your eyes. If only I knew I was created to be a free man, not a slave. I would abandon lust, abandon bitterness.
Set me free. Let me forever leave Egypt, forever leave the painful consequences of sin and let me live free. To live as your son.
May I choose freedom everday, father. Teach me. Amen.
