My Freedom in Dependence

As Americans celebrate their freedom on their Independence Day- I am reminded of my freedom in being dependent on what Christ has done for me.  I know I cannot be "good enough" to be worthy of the perfection of heaven (more on this in a future blog entry called "Life Preservers"), so I have put my faith in the loving sacrifice of Jesus and his promise to be the replacement for my sinful life. It is not an excuse to do whatever I want. When I think of the freedom I have in Christ, part of that freedom reminds me of the freedom that I have in my marriage.

Just like in my joining someone else's life through marriage, I am free from many things, and there are also some "freedoms" that I no longer have in my life. Some of the things I no longer do because I am married are "freedoms" that I might miss during my selfish times, but they are "freedoms" that I can and probably should live without.  When I remember that having a relationship with Christ and depending on Him provides the ultimate freedom through a mutual love, I am not worried about what I can and can't do. In my dependence on Him, I feel (and am) free. 

The following song is a beautiful way to express how Christians are free in our dependence.

Youtube version of the song (for auditory people): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJX4NT6jMw

Lyrics of the song (for visual people): 

So long I had searched for life's meaning,

Enslaved by the world and my greed;

Then the door of the prison was opened by love,

For the ransom was paid - I was free.
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow,

I'm free from the guilt of the past;

For I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,

I'm Free! Praise the Lord! Free at last!

I'm free from the guilt that I carried,

From that dull empty life I'm set free;

For when I met Jesus,

He made me complete,

He forgot how foolish I used to be.

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/im-free-lyrics-bill-gaither.html ]