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The Feeling of Freedom

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Marlo Jenkins

I was thinking about the feeling of freedom last evening after watching the news about Amanda Knox. You probably are aware of who she is – the young adult from Seattle who was in prison for 4 years in Italy during the court case relating to her charge of murder. She was found not guilty and returned home to the United States on October 4, 2011.

Whether she is innocent or guilty, the feeling of freedom must be a good one for her. If she is in fact guilty, there will most certainly be a lack of freedom in her heart and mind in the days and/or years ahead. My point here is not to make a determination of her innocence or guilt. I simply use her as an illustration as I ponder this topic of freedom.

Some might equate “freedom” to riding a motorcycle down the freeway on a warm summer day. For some motorcycle enthusiasts ultimate freedom might be doing so without a helmet. Personally, I would call that something else – Lol. Others may equate freedom with winning the lottery, yet greed can still imprison the heart of the wealthiest person. Freedom might cause some people to think of times when dolphins are cut loose from fishermen’s nets. For others it would be that last exam at the end of June.

Freedom is many different things. Ultimate freedom is one thing – it’s the experience of having your sins forgiven by the God of the Bible and enjoying a personal relationship with Him and assurance of spending eternity in heaven with Him. That’s a freedom we must choose.

Referring to people coming to know the truth about who Jesus is, He said, “The truth will set you free.” Paul, who wrote about half of the New Testament, came to know this reality himself, well into his life. So much so that in one of his books he said, “Christ has truly set us free.” If you know this kind of freedom – be very thankful. If you don’t, you can – read the Gospel of John.

Marlo