What Is Freedom?

“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”
2 Peter 2:19 NLT

This morning we are jumping into the middle of a thought from Peter. He has been writing the book of second Peter to remind believers who they are in Christ (chapter 1) and then to warn believers of those who would come into the church pretending to be teachers of truth when really they are there for their own desires. As he is wrapping up his warning (ch 2), he gives us this thought, “ They [false teachers] promise freedom” that they don’t have to give.
What is freedom? We hear people talk about it, but what is it? The dictionary says that freedom is “the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.” The verse we just read tells us that we are a slave to whatever controls us. Do you realize that whatever controls you only controls you because you allowed it to? You had to, at some point, as an act of your will, give over the control. If you are enslaved to anything, it was your choice. So really, freedom for us is the ability to choose. There is another verse that always runs through my mind when we talk about freedom, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” These are the words of Jesus to those who have chosen to trust Him. The truth takes the fog away from our mind. It helps us make clean, thoughtful choices. That is what Jesus offers us, a clear mind. He removes the cloudiness of sin, so we can make choices that bring peace not only to our lives, but also to those who are close to us.
Would you take a minute today and ask yourself who or what you are a slave to? Remember, it is whatever controls you! When you have identified whatever controls you, decide if that brings more freedom or it has placed you in bondage. If it is aligned with truth it is continually setting you free.

-Pastor Tim