Free From Doing Whatever I Want

Often we think freedom is being unshackled to do whatever we want. This is the greatest bondage though. Only in Christ can we be free from doing whatever self desires. To will against oneself is utterly impossible unless the Spirit of God is birthed in us. And when this happens, the war begins. The Spirit against the flesh, the flesh against the spirit-- before the Spirit entered it was simply self reigning. Now there's an adversary to my selfish desires who can conquer me as I can not. Oh praise the Lord for Him, who makes freedom possible, though not comfortable or easy, lest we think we no longer need Him. This breaking of self feels at times as though ripped apart within, tortured between desire and will. Yet the best freedom is within reach-- the abundant life that Christ offers. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me. Oh if I only lived this way always! To live against selfish desires is to truly love-- only think of it, how much you could serve, how much you could give, how much you could endure, if you took no thought of self? Yet there are many ways off the path, and only one way back on. I Am. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," says He. I want to overcome, I want to hear well done. I want to be done with the earth bound temptations, yet I press on, from glory to glory.

Ponder this: If we believe in the One who caused light to shine out of darkness, can't we trust Him to shine victory into our being-- our hearts stamped with his banner of love?

My Prayer: Lord, may I surrender all to You, may you conquer me completely. Free me to serve you with utter selflessness, free from doing whatever I want. Amen.

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a surrendered life

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