by Rev Douglas Brauner

We are free in Christ to stand against sin.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 English Standard Version

Our cat, Cali (I know, an original name for a calico cat), loves her freedom. You see, she’s an indoor/outdoor cat. She has survived a variety of predators in our neighborhood, including a coyote. Unfortunately, our previous cat was not so lucky. Wallace left our house one day never to return. I’ve always hoped that someone took him into their home, thinking that he was a stray.

Cali hanging out in our backyard.

Cali likes to show us how grateful she is for her freedom by bring us gifts like mice guts. She even got a hold of a small bunny this past year (I’ll save you the gory details). One night I opened the door, and she gave me a very special gift. A live mouse, that she promptly dropped on the floor and went to clean herself. Needless to say, it took me a while before the mouse “left the house.”

Yet, for Cali’s sake there are limits to her freedom. Though she might sit at the door and meow, signaling that she wants out, I will not always give her what she wants. Especially on days like Halloween.

Like Cali, we love our freedom in Christ. Because of Jesus, we are free from the consequences of our sin. Because of Jesus, nothing will separate us from God’s love. Because of Jesus, we can face our death knowing that life will prevail.

However, there are limits to our freedom. Paul states that we are not to use our freedom as an excuse for doing what he has said we ought not do. Our freedom does not give us the right to gossip, hate, or disrespect another person. This is as much to protect us as it is to protect others.

Though our freedom comes with limitations, it is still freedom that we enjoy in Christ. May we find joy in walking in our freedom, even if it comes with limits.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado