Free Indeed

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
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In the previous chapter Paul was dealing with Christians thinking they had to submit to circumcision. He reminded them that they were children of promise, as Isaac was.

Religion binds, Christ sets us free. Religion has a lot of taboos, doos and donts, ascetic practices that are attractive but do not bring life

I came up against religious tradition in Nepal. The culture surrounding the Christians is Hindu and one of the Hindu practices is cremation the dead. In a country where land is expensive, the Christians wanted burial plots so they did not cremate but rather bury their dead. I spoke to them about this. I told them the bible has nothing to say about whether we should be buried or cremated, it is a matter of choice. I told them I have given my children the freedom to choose. I live in a different city to them. If they want me cremated and have my ashes put somewhere near them then so be it. My mother has bought a burial plot but if she dies visiting a sister on the other side of the country she is happy to be cremated.

Will Jesus refuse us entry to heaven because we are cremated? No! Our spirit is free!

In 1975 the church I was in had difficulty with the fact that my husband had become an insurance salesman. They rejected him, until the leadership brought correction. Those who rejected him thought he was sowing ruthlessness. He was helping them be wise, not foolish.

We have to discover what God's word says about a matter and seek the freedom it gives. In following freedom we must also follow the word of God. Jesus set us free from sin as well. We cannot go back to the filth and call it freedom. Amen!