Day 318: Freedom

Galatians 5:1-15; Lamentations 5; Psalm 147

Christ gives us freedom. Freedom from what? Freedom to do what? It's a strange idea, very vague to me, and I've attempted to process this for a while. This is what I think Paul is talking about and what this idea means: we are free from the expectations of the rules of the Old Testament; we can make our own choices to live how we feel. We don't have rules to follow as disciples of Christ, but instead, we are to use Jesus as our guide and model. We aren't to use our freedom to sin or do any ol' thing, but to love and serve. So if Christ has truly set us free, we will not want to sin, we will want to live like Him.

Lamentations is kind of depressing. I mean, it is a bunch of laments, so that's to be expected. It ends with a cry to God to bring them back to him, for a fresh start. Whats great, is that because of Jesus, I know this happens and I know it is possible. We get a fresh start. We can become holy. We have been chosen as children. The people in Lamentations were slaves; we are free because of Christ, and not just free, but sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus.

The beginning of this psalm, actually answers the final question in Lamentations: will you bring us back to you, God? It says that God should be praised and he will rebuild Jerusalem and return the people of Israel to their homes. He helps the poor and is pleased only with those who trust in him. It doesn't matter how tough we are or how much we have, only that we worship him and believe in his love.