The Freedom to Choose What Is Right
By Rick Warren
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Romans 6:6-7 (NLT)
God gives four great freedoms to everyone who puts their trust in him. We already looked at the first two: a clear conscience and personal access to God. The third freedom is the power to do what is right.
Most people think freedom means no rules, no limits, and no regulations—but that’s a very limited view of freedom. Instead, freedom is the power God graciously gives you to say “yes” to the things that are good for you and “no” to the things that are harmful.
If you don’t have the power to say “no,” there’s a word for that: addiction. And with it comes obsessions and compulsions in your life. The Bible teaches, “For you are a slave to whatever controls you” (2 Peter 2:19 NLT).
I once read a story about a brother and sister who were encouraged by their parents to “find your bliss.” Their home had no boundaries, and they were allowed to experiment with sex and drugs. By the time they were in their mid-20s, their lives were out of control.
The brother soon realized, “My freedom was no freedom at all. On the outside, I appeared to be enjoying life. But inside I was enslaved to my own fears, insecurities, and compulsions. I needed someone to free me from myself.”
That’s exactly what we all need: someone to free us from ourselves.
Have you ever thought, “Why do I fly off the handle at people I love the most? Why am I anxious and fearful all the time? How do I stop?” These are things you may have tried to change about yourself but didn’t have the power to change. That kind of power comes only from God.
Paul voiced this tension in Romans 7:24-25: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (NLT).
Why is Jesus Christ the answer? Jesus promises, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).
Freedom is not simply having no limits. Radical freedom is the freedom to say “yes” to the things that improve your health, increase your happiness, and fill your life with significance. Radical freedom is the power to do what is right.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Find the Key to the Life You’re Looking For!
Some say the key to the good life is health, others say material wealth—but what does God say?
Find out in Pastor Rick’s dynamic Bible study, The Keys to a Blessed Life. This 6-session video plus workbook study reveals the secret to the abundant life God promises by exploring Jesus’ most well-known sermon, the Sermon on the Mount.
Dive deep into the Beatitudes with Pastor Rick to discover the hopeful and purpose-filled life God has planned for you through messages like . . .
• How God Blesses Broken Hearts
• Your Ministry of Mercy
• How to Reconcile a Relationship
• Handling Opposition to Your Faith
• And more!
The Keys to a Blessed Life is our thanks for your gift below to take the Word of God to a world in need, so ask for your copy when you give today. Thank you!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.