True Freedom
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,
but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 14:17 NLT)
Hello Children of God,
It was a beautiful evening for a walk; cooler than it had been, and much less humid. Many people were out for a stroll, young and old alike. While walking on a popular trail along lush farmland, a young boy around 7years old came flying around the bend on his bike, with a face full of joy and a smile from ear to ear, looking over his shoulder to make sure his dad was still behind him. Indeed, he was, and he was equally thrilled to be riding with his son, judging by the exuberant “Hello” I received when I greeted them. It was a great sight – father and son out enjoying time together. Immediately, the word ‘freedom’ came into my mind. The son had not a care in the world knowing his dad was close behind. He was free to just be a little child, enjoying the thrill of living in the security of his father’s care and oversight.
I try to get alone with my Heavenly Father often – I cherish the time we spend together. To be honest though, it’s not always ‘peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’. A million thoughts, questions, criticisms of myself and situations, complaints, and on and on it goes. Sometimes I wish I could have more times just being a little child with Dad enjoying the wonder of His presence, comfort, and oversight. I think that’s why my walks are so long, because it takes me a while to cast my cares onto Him before I enter into the joy of His presence and communion with Him. Almost as soon as I heard the word ‘freedom’ in my spirit, Romans 14:17 popped into my mind. The Kingdom of God is where the Father lives. There, it’s not about the dos and don’ts of mundane things like eating and drinking, it’s about relationship with God which is goodness, peace and joy in and through Holy Spirit – who is God. In John 8, Jesus says these famous words: “A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free” (8:35-36). A slave is bound by rules, which is a burden, but a son is bound by love and relationship. The son is free to enjoy the Father, but the slave is always concerned about doing the right thing to make sure the master is happy. Is Christianity more about joy and peace in relationship with God, than trying to earn the Master’s favor through a series of works? Does God experience joy when I am enjoying Him rather than when I am trying to work to make Him happy?
Is it not remarkable that the opening chapters of the Bible tell us that God is described as “walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Gen 3:8). This peaceful scene is of the Father of creation just desiring to enjoy the fellowship of His prized creation – man and woman. Is not the Gospel the story of God coming down to walk with man and woman again, doing what was necessary to have meaningful fellowship with them – to reconcile a broken relationship through His cross? Was the ultimate reason Jesus shed His blood for us to restore the fellowship that the Father once had with us humans? (1John 1:1-4)
Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9). Do you remember Jesus picking up the little children in His arms, hugging and kissing and blessing them (Mark 10:13-16)? Is that not a picture of the Father’s desire to embrace and enjoy the presence of His children? Do you remember the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15) and the joyous party the father throws when his lost son returns to Him, “Let’s feast and celebrate” (vs.23). Hugs and kisses, joy and peace – the Father with His child – fellowshipping and rejoicing in the household together. That’s kingdom living at its finest. Jesus was/is God in the flesh living life with humans – the everyday, mundane life on planet Earth. Didn’t He demonstrate that it’s about intimacy with the Father? He wanted Mary’s time, not Martha’s food prep (Luke 10). Didn’t Jesus tell us to stop worrying about life and the things in it and focus on our Father who knows all the things we need. Our first pursuit ought to be the kingdom of God where goodness, peace and joy are found, in the presence of our Father (Matt. 6:31-33). In the same chapter Jesus teaches us to go and sit with our Father in a quiet/secret place and just talk to our Father (6:6-9). This Father loves His children and loves to lavish His love on us (1John 3:1-2). He is our Father of Lights who desires to give good and perfect gifts to us (James 1:17) – like peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! Has Father God not given us His Spirit to remind us we are His children, freed from slavery, freed to call God “Papa” and to know that one day we will be with Him in eternity receiving our inheritance (Romans 8:15-21). And…the end of the story of redemption finishes with the Father’s children dwelling with Him in an Eden like setting, where sorrow is no more and there is fullness of joy in His presence: “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Rev.21:7).
I later met the same father and his son near the end of my walk, in the park near my house, laughing and playing with dogs and other children. True Freedom – Goodness, peace and joy. We know now in part but will one day fully know what it feels like to be totally free to commune with our Father as His little children. I long for that day. But for now I pursue the freedom of fellowship with my heavenly Dad here on Earth!
Be Blessed!
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