Jesus gave us a principle that if we are pursuing truth we may experience freedom,

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  (John 8:31-32)

Think about people you know – what percentage of those people are experiencing freedom?  Would you say that you are experiencing freedom?  The German philosopher Goethe wrote, “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”

What does it mean to be free?  What often comes to mind is the ability to enjoy one’s personal rights and be exempt from external controls.  Eric Hoffer makes a good point that “The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do.”  So what does it mean to be free?  Freedom is the ability to choose, either to do or not do something. 

Are you free to experience a life of consistent joy and peace?  Many people want to experience that type of life but they don’t know the requisite truth that enables them to experience joy and peace.  How would you respond if I asked you if you wanted to run a marathon next week (a marathon is 26.2 miles)?  Most people don’t have the freedom to say yes – if the training has not taken place they don’t have the ability.  That’s how it is in life – if we don’t know truth it can be difficult to live a life of joy and peace.

Conversely freedom is the ability to choose what not to do.  For example, imagine there is a delicious piece of cheesecake in the refrigerator – it is even calling out to you!  Do you have the freedom to say no or are you enslaved to your appetites.  I know I’ve gone from preaching to meddling but this is important.

Be encouraged that you can experience freedom in your life and it comes from knowing truth.  Don’t settle for bondage when God offers you freedom.  The Apostle Paul warned the Galatians,

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  (Galatians 5:1)

May you experience God’s freedom in your life!