How many times have we been walking through a department store and been drawn to the “free gift” at the cosmetic counter? You know – the cute little bag, the travel size mascara and of course the lipstick that never matches your skin tone. We’re politely told by the sales associate that if we spend $35 on the merchandise of our choice, this free gift will go home with us today. Sold!! 

Ok. Let’s face it. Nothing in this world is free. There is, however, one exception. The unconditional love of the Heavenly Father and the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ will cost you absolutely nothing! In fact, you will gain more than you could ever imagine just by stepping over that line of faith and making Jesus the Lord of your life. 

We all like to be “king”. It feels good to get our way. We don’t like being told “no” and we usually don’t like answering to people. Freedom!! That’s what we crave. It’s the right to think or act as we want without any hindrance or restraint. The question then becomes, is this way of life truly free? Is there any cost to you when living without boundaries or rules? Is there a cost to others when you choose to live this way? In my opinion, you better believe there is! My car registers over 100 mph on the speedometer. I can drive 120 on the interstate if I so choose. However, the state says the speed limit is 65 mph on the highway and if I choose to go faster it will cost me. It definitely will cost me money if I get caught. It could cost me my driver’s license or far worse, it could cost me my life due to an accident. What if I crash into someone else? You get the idea. The speed limit is not there to keep us from having fun in sports cars. It’s there for protection. God is the same way. He has a standard of living in place that actually offers us the true freedom and protection we desire. He knows that if we go outside of the boundaries, we will get hurt. That in turn, hurts Him because we are His treasure!

Our flesh always wants to have its way, but it comes at a steep price. The book of Romans tells us that letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the Spirit of God control your mind leads to life and peace. Wouldn’t we all rather have sweet dreams at night than anxiety-filled thoughts? You can. It just depends on who’s King. If it’s you and you’re using the free will system, always be ready for chaos. A life spent without boundaries from a loving God will never be a peaceful one. 

Proverbs chapter 12 reminds us, “No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble” (NLT).  I don’t want to live with bad consequences all the time. I’m not smart enough to navigate through this thing called life. I need the wisdom of the Lord directing my paths and keeping me and my family safe. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians, “wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This freedom comes from having One smarter than you be the Captain of the ship. Getting caught up in pain, drama, and heartache is not freedom. These are consequences to the free will program where you are the captain. 

Submitting yourself to an all-knowing, all-loving, all-caring God is the most “freeing” thing you can do. You can have peace even in the midst of battles because you know He’s fighting for you. You can lay down at night and actually rest because the all-knowing One holds you in the very palm of His Hand. You have supernatural favor in this world we live in just because you belong to Him. Your needs are always met. You have a promise that when you exit this earth, you will spend eternity with the very One who made you and loves you more than you can imagine! Now that’s freedom. True freedom. God’s will for our lives is so much better. There’s more love, joy, laughter and peace. So I ask – how free is your will?

 

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband, Robby and cat, Harold.

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