FreeWill vs FreeDom

Christianity is weird.

There, it’s out. And I don’t mean the Sunday ritual of going to church, because we know that stuff is nothing more than a display. I’m not talking religion either. That is rigid, full of rules and has absolutely no joy in it. I’m talking living with Jesus Christ at the center of your life. That one is a little strange.

The point of Christianity is to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means turning from my selfish ways and taking up my cross (Matthew 16:24). Following Jesus means refusing to be conformed to this world, and instead being transformed by the renewal of my mind (Romans 12:2). Following Jesus means letting go the reins of my life and trusting God to lead me where He wants.

Sounds technical, doesn’t it? Let’s break it down:

If I follow Jesus, I serve Him. He is my master. Everything He tells me to do, I do! That’s…scary, isn’t it?

Yes. It is. I’m born with free will. A mind of my own. So, okay, I’ve accepted Christ. Still I know what career I want to choose, where I want to hang out on Saturday nights, who I want to hang out with. I want to be led by my passions, by my flesh, by my lusts. Heck, I’ll take responsibility for my actions! But in the end, I want to rule my life. Myself. It’s mine to live!

But Jesus says, ‘Let Me make the plans. You just trust me.’

What…?!

Jesus says I should completely surrender to Him. The ‘completely’ is the frightening part. It means every day I wake up, I choose not to pay attention to the lusts of my body (oh, if only those lusts died when you become born again, but nope, they stay there and taunt you), and choose only to obey what the Spirit of God says I should do. It means I’m willing to do the will of God even if it will hurt, even if I’ll rather do something to please just myself, even if it’ll make me lose some friends, or some popularity.

Because, Christianity will make you lose some street cred. Fortunately, I live in a time when I’m not killed for believing in Jesus. Unfortunately, I live in a time when a lecturer could call me stupid for believing in Jesus. I live in a time when I’m considered colloquial because I don’t think you should sleep around when you’re unmarried. I live in a time where my friends can leave me out of their plans because I won’t smoke or drink with them.

I mean, there is a ton of pressure to throw Jesus’s words back at Him. When the world looks at a Christian, it won’t exactly tag him ‘free.’ The world’s definition of free is funny. ‘Free,’ is allowed to sleep with as many people as I want without feeling remorse. ‘Free’ is spending money willy-nilly. ‘Free’ is breaking as many curfews as I can. ‘Free’ is being my own boss, making my own decisions, answering to only me. I can’t be Christian and be free, can I? I mean, I told Jesus to have my life, didn’t I? Where’s the freedom in that?

But I’m free from sin. And that’s God’s offer—freedom from sin. It’s the greatest freedom to have. I have peace. I can sleep and not be guaranteed another day, but know that if I die, I’m joining my Father in heaven. I’m happy, because I lived the best life, a life spent walking with God. I’m satisfied, because even if I didn’t amass all the wealth on earth I stored some away in heaven. There’s that crown that the Apostle Paul spoke about, that I’m going to receive at the end of the journey.

And it’s not only about the end. It’s also about the Christian journey, right here on earth. I had help, and what greater help than the one that comes from God Himself? The privilege of talking freely with the One who made me. The freedom to ask Him when I need something. The freedom to go back to God when I wander off the path, and know that He’ll take me back. The freedom of leaving God—the all-knowing One, who has my best interests at heart—to make the plans for me, plans to prosper me and not to fail me, plans to give me hope and a future! The satisfaction in having a reason to live. Communion with the Holy Spirit. The joy of praising God (I’m one of those weirdos who send their phones to the bathhouse, and it’s not like I’m asking you to do some, but when you’re there and singing and dancing to gospel music it’s so bae!).

And even more freeing that all of that, is hearing God say ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’

That. Is. Freedom.

It's like the Bible says: Who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)! 

And it’s freedom anyone can have. Right now. When we were kids, we used to say we’ll fool a lot and then change and become better when we’re old enough. It sounded logical then. But just how old is old enough? People die at sixteen. Were they old enough? But that’s just as long as they lived. Don’t wait.

And yes, God is real. Those who say otherwise would only rather not acknowledge Him, because it’s hard to bend your will to fit someone else’s. God. Is. Real. And He’s patient because He doesn’t want anyone to perish. Accept Him while you still have life. Only then are you actually free.

Remember, Christianity is not an imposition. It’s a choice. And once you’re in it, it’s an everyday job. It’s the slow and painful process of letting go bad habits and living as Christ wants. It looks daunting because it is hard. But God Himself supplies the strength. Talk about someone having everything under control. Talk about God.