Freedom in Christ

This week's message is from English major and writing coach Kaylee Messman, who also worked as an assistant last summer for my course on Writing Bible Studies. 

Free to be Faithful

by Kaylee Messman

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 

2 Corinthians 3:17

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This summer I landed a job working second shift at a filter factory in the town where I live. The filters that we make are used by farmers to filter sediment out of milk. Our main job on second shift is to sit at a sewing machine and sew the material together to form the filter bag. I’ll admit that it isn’t the most exciting job on the planet. The best part about being on second shift is that there are no managers around. My college-age coworkers and I are alone in the factory without any bosses on duty to be bossy with us. We can get away with almost anything! For example, we will frequently dance along to the radio or go exploring in the mysterious basement underneath the warehouse instead of actually doing our jobs. While our antics distract us from the repetitive job that we’re assigned to do, I can’t help but feel a little guilty about goofing off after the fact.

My experience with no managers on second shift is similar to the situation that we face as New Testament Christians. Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians 3 that the terms of the Old Covenant are no longer binding. The old rules delegated how the people had to behave in both worship and civic life. When Christ came to earth to live a perfect life and die for us, he brought freedom from the old ways. Because of this, we are no longer under such tight supervision. Of course this doesn’t mean that we can run around sinning whenever and wherever we please! Instead, it means we act maturely, responsible for ourselves, guided in our freedom by the Spirit of God who now inhabits us by his Word.

What do lives lived in the Spirit look like?  How will freedom and faith coincide in our daily endeavors?  When we're at work, we'll work faithfully, honestly, and diligently; we won't look at our labors as mere drudgery.  We live in joy, knowing Jesus endured far more than drudgery for us, and his presence in our lives is our constant hope.  We'll enjoy the world around us.  Maybe dancing on company time isn't the best idea, but when appropriate we will be dancing and singing and enjoying life, because we don't have to fear sin or evil knowing God is on our side.  And we can enjoy good music and good food and good friends and not feel inhibited in how we live, because "everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4).  We can go exploring and trying new things (although, again, maybe not the basement on company time!)  knowing God's Spirit goes with us wherever we are.  We have been set free by Jesus -- free to be faithful and full of life.  And so we will live -- freely and faithfully

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for granting me freedom through the Spirit. Continue to be with me that I may continue to live freely and faithfully, serving you to the best of my ability. Amen.