Freedom is Sweet!
I can’t imagine life without this freedom from religion. I tried for 33 years within organized religion (christianity) to help people see God’s unconditional love for all of his creation and yet at every step of the way I was met with suspicion and judgment. People in church will talk a great deal about love until you bring up accepting gay people or some other unacceptable group and then you see just how far their love will go. I am not trying to speak from a self righteous point view as if I am any better. I know I have certain problems loving certain people but one thing I do believe is that even when my love falls short God’s love never does. I do believe with all my heart that his love is perfect for everyone of his creatures regardless of who they are, their sexual orientation, or their less then acceptable behavior.
Going back to my life a freedom for a second……let me say that being free from religion has never felt better. I get up each new day including Sunday morning with a sense of awe for what that day will bring. I feel totally free to accept every human being as my fellow traveler without any pre-judgments about their lives. I am excited to talk to people about this incredible message and people really want to listen. For me, it’s not about converting or convincing, but more about just simply sharing the best news I have ever heard, and even if they don’t get it I know they are still loved by God just the same.
The reason why Christians are often called hypocrites is because of one simple reason, THEY ARE. A hypocrite is by definition a "Play Actor", and that’s exactly what they do. They play a part that includes trying to convince everyone around them that they are acceptable to God because of something they believe or do. God knows they are hypocrites because he sent his very own son to teach us that very lesson.
Cliff you said,We were made free, we were intended to live free, and nothing we do good or bad will ever change that.
Yes it’s called, “aboundant life”
I tryed for years to find this life.And at the end of my search,i found it in christ.Were it always had been.Now i behold him whom to know is life eternal.And i can see not only myself but the life of the entire world in one new man.I know the pain that the doctrines and traditions of man can bring to a dear soul for whom christ tasted of death for,Heb,..2v9.But thanks be to God i have a message birthed in my heart by the spirit of grace that sets the captives free.I will like you all hear defend the faith of the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me while i have breath.For it is only in the knowledge of that truth people will know they are free.he is our peace who has broken down the middle wall between God and man,and man and man.And has prtesented us all ,Holy unblameable and unreproveable in God our Fathers sight.
This is the goodnews Gospel.
Great post cliff one from the heart i like that.
Blessings galore to you and all,
kenneth
“For me, it’s not about converting or convincing, but more about just simply sharing the best news I have ever heard, and even if they don’t get it I know they are still loved by God just the same.”
Ditto bro.
“Yes, freedom is sweet, but to get to it each person will have to become awakened to the reality that they are already free. We were made free, we were intended to live free, and nothing we do good or bad will ever change that.”
Well I for one would love to hear you preach on a regular basis. buit then we are kindred spirits.
Loved reading your post Cliff today. A lot said for sure and so important to know this freedom. Your advice about “quiting the church” is excellent advice. I know I personally got very frustrated in that system about 8 or so years ago and quit attending. I didn’t know at the time why I was frustrated with the system because it was long before I heard of freedom, grace, peace etc. But now I know the reason for the frustration. It is the bondage that we were placed into by being told we had to perform to “be and become good Christians”.
That religious system is nothing but a system of men trying to control others. I am glad to be free from it and I truly enjoy my freedom. To read this post today and the comments by Kenneth and Steve has been great and it does the heart good. No more bondage….just freedom in Christ. Who could ask for anything more. Great post.
Kenneth, Steve, & Roy, You all are my new fellowship of friends. That doesn’t mean I don’t seek friendship with all but the reality is that church folk just don’t want to be friends unless you become just like them and that just ain’t gonna happen.
I thank God for open my eyes to see that we all free and that He loves us all.I also thank for fellowship with friends here and other website.
I believe that His love and grace is greater then anything even those that are trapped in the church system I was there at one time.I believe that more and people will come to see the truth threw websites like this one and threw people who share this true gospel of love and grace.
Love in Christ Dan
Excellent advice, Cliff.. Thank you for expressing your heart.
The best thing I have ever done is let go of Religion and I let go of society. It has made it much easier to be myself.
You guys are all awesome. Isn’t it wonderful to be free?
Hi!!
Wonderful comments everyone!!
I didnt realize how bound I was till GOD began to reveal HIS love to me. It healed me of so much fear and performance and condemnation, etc….Now I know this love everyday and it has brought me great liberty. I know I am far from totally free but I am sure not where I was.Knowing this GOD of love is truly what frees mankind..
Blessings to all of you..
Connie
Connie, I totally agree with your comments. When you realize just how free you are, you never want to go back to being controlled by religion. To be free to be who God created you to be. As my husband says…you feel so happy you have to sit on your hands to keep from waving at everyone.
God is still showing me His love for me through people on these websites that have a heart for God and those He has put around us.
A Sis-In-Christ,
Connie, You are totally free NOW and have always been, but now your mind of delusion is being renewed day by day to the REALITY of what is…………FREEDOM!
Sue, I love your example of having to sit on your hands to keep from waving at everyone…….That’s what bold grace will make you do.
Thanks for the comments.
I am not sure of all this stuff about “we are totally free”. Yes, I understand that one day we will experience full freedom, but right now we are experiencing some freedom and some bondage. We live a life of spirit and flesh. Is that not the way the SAVIOUR wants it or else HE would have made us totally free to begin with and we wouldnt be going through this time on earth as humans with bondages? It seems to me we have a weakness about accepting weakness.. Paul said “I glory in weaknesses”, but we seem to want to positively think them away.. This journey were are all on I believe is all planned of GOD. THere are scriptures that say “All is of GOD”. So experiencing bondage is part of the all. It has its purpose in humbling us and working HIS will in us, that we may experience HIS mercy.
That is the way I see it right now and not feeling completely free does not diminish me, in fact it is part of HIS purpose to do HIS work in me.
Just my thoughts for where I am now….
Connie
Connie, I think in blogging we often get caught up over words. Your points in your last comment are so true and written out of living this life. On the other hand the total freedom I speak of really has to to with total freedom from the thinking that I must do something to please my Father. Jesus said he would set us free and we would be free indeeed. Free from What? Free from the bondage of religion. Thanks again for your comments, you show incredible growth in this bold grace.
Yes your right Cliff, often in writing there is a communication misunderstanding. I find that often in blogging.
Our mindsets are being set free and I hear you, that totally changes our lives. The old way, we were so focused on sin and bieng these holy people, now we just live life…isnt it grand? HE is in control and we work out what HE works in as a natural flow…Phil, 2:12 & 13 We are HIS workmanship, HIS responsibility and HE is a determinist, so the job will get done, in us and then through us, changing us… GLORY!!!!
Blessings
Connie