Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

The Bible tells us that true freedom is the ability to love God and obey His law. This only makes sense. If we were made by God and for God, then we are free only to the degree that we are in union with God and His will for us.

This is the reason why, even when we are controlled by our desires, if they are not godly desires, we experience bondage.

Think for a moment.

When you are driven by your own fearful desires, are you free? No, you are a prisoner of fear.

When you are driven by your own lustful desires, are you free? No, you are a prisoner of lust.

When we are driven by your own envy and greed, are you free? No, you are a prisoner of envy and greed.

When you are driven by your own vengeful desires, are you free? No, you are a prisoner of your own angry bitterness.

Jesus put it this way: “Whoever sins is a slave of sin.” Sin (i.e. disobedience to God’s law) is the very opposite of what we were designed for. When the desires of our heart are contrary to God’s law, we are enslaved. To the degree sinful desires drive our hearts, to that degree we are not free.

This is the irony of addiction. An addicted person is doing what they want. But anyone who has ever been addicted, or seen a loved one struggling with addiction, knows that addiction is anything but freedom. It’s the epitome of bondage.

And sin is our ultimate addiction.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”
~ John 8:31-34 (ESV)