FOOY VIEWS

FOOY VIEWS

Truth will set you free." -John 8: 32-

Such is mere foolishness in the eyes of the world. Modern society, in general, ignores and rejects truth. Yet, the spirit of man has an appetence to be free, but not necessarily in concert with truth. There are several reasons for this.
Truth involves conformity to fact and fidelity to proven standards. That, in the opinion of earthly wisdom, is enslavement, not freedom. Conformance to standards restricts freedom to act as you please. Also, being faithful to someone else's standards involves more responsibility and commitment than most are willing to assume.
Therefore, instead of being free by accepting truth, the human spirit contrives situations of bogus freedom by being untruthful to themselves and others. The resulting double-standard is confusing, even to the perpetrator. No wonder so many struggle with the concept of truth, morality, and knowing right-from-wrong.
Do you grapple with an emotional and intellectual (and, perhaps, spiritual) battle raging within? Is your concept of freedom based on your ability to direct your life without interference? In the process of steering clear of control by others is it necessary to mislead or deceive them from the truth of the matter? Is this freedom? Can you actually live free while your conscience is in captivity to deceit?
There is only one source of truth that frees. Jesus said of God, ". . . your word is truth." King David found truth as revealed in Ps. 119:45, "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." The gospel is our precepts. It is the perfect law that gives freedom (Jas. 1:25). As Christians, we are urged to speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom (Jas. 2:12). Peter said, "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;" (1 Pet. 2:16).
Freedom in Christ does not include indulgence in self, but service to others in love (Gal. 5:13). Paradoxically, Christians are freed to be slaves (Rom. 6:18).
Some may feel trapped by attendance in church. Others feel freed by the regular and frequent meeting together with kindred spirits. The difference is in the spirit that prevails. ". . . and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Cor. 3:17). It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that frees us from the law of sin and death.
The Truth experience allows mere mortal beings to live and experience life in it's fullest sense; free from the burden of sin and guilt, free from stress of directing ones own steps, and free from a certain sentence of death.
May we all walk through life in freedom, as David, by searching out the Lord's precepts of truth. May our spirits be filled with the wisdom and revelation of truth that we may know God better, having the eyes of our understanding enlighten to know the hope to which we have been called and to share the glorious inheritance with all saints and to recognize God's incomparably great power.

Dwain R. Stoops

Faith of our Youth (FOOY)
Is published by

Ozark Church of Christ
Jeremy Morris & Dwain R. Stoops, Co-Editors
401 E. Mt. Vernon
Nixa, Missouri, 65714