Sunday, May 25, 2008
"I am Free"
“I am free…” I find these three words one of the most chilling phrases in the scriptures:
And Cain went into the field, and Cain talked with Abel, his brother. And it came to pass that while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.
And Cain gloried in that which he had done, saying: I am free; surely the flocks of my brother falleth into my hands. (Moses 5:32-33, emphasis added)
We all know this story. Cain committed the first murder, and after committing the heinous act, he ironically believed he had found new freedom. In the world today, I wonder how often we incorrectly believe we are “free” when making poor choices. A few examples come to mind. I think of a person getting high on illegal drugs thinking he or she is now “free” from pains of the world. I have seen many news stories of people (e.g., Mark Hacking, Scott Peterson, etc.) who kill a spouse to become “free” rather than get divorced. Students cheat to prevent a failing grade. Some people go into credit card debt to “free” themselves of want and often times, unneeded immediate satisfaction.
“I am free.” When I hear someone speak these words—and other phrases are more commonly used —"Free Agency", "My Freedom", etc., I have to examine the context of their statement. I rejoice with a person when they are freed from sickness, disease, the bondage of sin, addiction, needless worry, depression, etc.
However, I feel differently when people “free” themselves of responsibility, moral character, thrift, conscience, truth, values, etc. Sadly, lately, I am seeing this more and more in people I know, people close to me, my own family members, makes me wonder though, how often I could include myself in this group as well. But, as I've pondered this lately, I am trying to be more conscience of my own self.
I just want everyone to remember that : All sin presents a false front of freedom. Thus, I cannot make a decision based on promised freedom—I must use other criteria to make the best decisions in my life and I hope others will too.
It's never too late to start......
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3 comments:
yay...I'm so glad now to have your blogs to read..I can depend on you for uplift-ment,..now you need some pics...oh..and now I see where we differ big time....Music.
Jen
About time you started blogging!!!
Wow - lots of thinking material for a girl to ponder today.
very nicely worded and good point on the issue of freedom. I believe that everyone has the freedom to do whatever they want but it comes with a price, either a reward or a consequence....I feel people tend to use freedom as an excuse to do wrong. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought. Let us have faith that right makes might and in that faith let us; to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."
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