Freedom is Slavery

I've been working on a paper in my Scriptures 4 class that centers on Galatians 5 and freedom. It has challenged my thinking and prompted me to create this post.

Freedom is one of the greatest ideals that our society upholds. After all that's why our country fought the revolutionary war, to be free of 'tyranny.' We would rather die then have someone or something infringe upon our rights. We believe that our political/religious freedom allows us to do whatever we want, with very few limits and this even extends into the arena of the church (how many people in the church today are willing to lay down what they want for what the community wants? we always demand our rights).

But is political freedom and 'rights' what the bible means by freedom? I recently heard a sermon that talked about the necessity of religious freedom that quoted Galatians. I think religious freedom is of great importance; after all we as Baptist have suffered persecution because we didn't have religious freedom. BUT I’m not so sure the biblical text is the best place to go for EXPLICIT scriptural backing about religious freedom . The text quoted was Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another."

Yes!! We are called to freedom but in this context it is freedom from the law and monoculturalism, not a political/religious freedom. What is freedom in the biblical sense? Well it's slavery. Bu how does that work? How can freedom be slavery?

I'll write a little more when i finish my paper :)

Confession

This 2nd Sunday in Lent Pastor Julie preached an amazing sermon about confession. During the sermon she quoted Detrich Bonhoffer, "there is something wrong when we can confess to a Holy God our sins easier then we can confess them to another human." Wow.

Well I’ve gone and done something I didn't think I would do....I’ve created a blog. I guess my hope is that as I leave seminary this will enable me to continue the amazing relationships that I have been blessed with in my life even though they might not be geographically close. I don't promise anything profound or perfect grammar. However, I hope to convey the thoughts and questions as well as some random things going on in my life.

I'm sure you might be asking, Why the title? Aren't I already converted. Well the answer is yes, and no. I have had a faith experience with Christ but scripture continually talks about us "being saved" and "working out our salvation with fear and trembling." God doesn't just save us, but continually saves us. My actions and thoughts are not always those of Christ. I can be prideful, greedy, consumeristic and a host of other things (as some of my best friends can attest to), but the desire is to be converted from all my sins into the image of Christ. Yes, I realize this won't happen until Christ comes again, but i think it is the task and journey we are all called to.

For those of you who need scripture :), I think Acts 10 is a perfect example of what i am talking about. Peter meets Cornelius and Peter is the one converted. Peter thought that the Gentiles had to become Jewish but after an encounter with Cornelius he has been changed and realizes that God shows no partiality. God has changed him (v34).

Through my ministry, travels, relationships, and whatever else, i want to be continually converted to the image of Christ.