freedom in the name.

“In Your freedom I will live / I offer devotion.”

It almost seems an oxymoron. Freedom and devotion. Words that should be sitting on opposite ends of the scale. Devotion requires a commitment to something, someone or a cause. Freedom on the other hand, implies liberty, without being tied down to a particular state.

Yet it makes perfect sense in His kingdom. If we take the world - and not necessarily in the holistic Christian-ese sense - we can see all sorts of sin and death of human goodness.

Sin entraps. Envy, murder, lust, greed, stealing, etc all allows a modicum of gratification to immediate desires or emotions, but ultimately remains a trap in which we have to bear the ill consequences of; sometimes they even become bondages.

Consider this: has any indulgences of sin ever led to sustained happiness, or benefitted those who are victims of this abuse? Sin is a pit whereby only guilt and negative consequences remain dwelling.

Thus, the freedom in Christ is the key: devotion to uphold the principles and law given by Christ & offered by Man. An active decision to abstain from sinning against God or our fellow men. Recognising that sin robs others, and the devotion to preserve peace.

And this is how these two parallels unite together in Him: devotion to Christ and all that follows in living by Him brings us freedom from the trap and negative consequences that sin entails. By surrendering and commiting to walk away from sinning, we find the freedom to live in harmony without guilt nor fear.

And though it does not ensure that our neighbours would do likewise, therefore we are still susceptible to victimization of the sins of someone else, there is a great liberty in knowing we have chosen to live the right life, that we are fighting the good fight, that by His grace we find Heaven at the end of this road.

In Your freedom I will live.

I offer devotion.

Amen.


. Arigato .