This is how it feels to be feel...

This week I've been thinking about freedom. It says in Galatians 5:1

'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.'

It stuck me, I think for the first time, that this is a present tense...it IS for freedom. I don't know about you but when I have heard that verse I would often hear it WAS for freedom...but its about having freedom presently-Now.
You may not be like me...and Praise God for that but me, being honest with you here - i don't always feel free-I feel bound up and when I sin, its not that I have deliberately chosen to in my mind, its like an impulse that I can not shake. Paul's puts it brilliantly in Romans 7:15

'I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.'

But is quite clear - We are free but that freedom is a choice...look again at the 2nd half of Galatains 5:1 ...'Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again...' We have a choice in whether we put the chains back on or not. Each time we sin its like we voluntarily put the shackles back on but then I realised a follower of Christ I am free, the shackles are in my mind...the blood of Christ not only unlocked them, it desecrated them so they have no power or substance any more, unless we allow ourselves to be bound. It is OUR choice, as followers of Christ we are free...
In my gospel choir we had the opportunity, as one of old soloists was back, to sing one of the songs he sings which is called This is How it Feels to Be Free and it hit be (as I had been thinking about freedom) that although this song is designed for non-Christians its so important to take the truth as we walk with Christ, I'll finish my post with the lyrics of the song, originally by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (copyright)

There Is A Wall That Has Been Standing
since The Day That Adam Fell
sin Is Where It Started
and Sin Is Why It Held
speakin As A Prisoner
who Was There And Lived To Tell
I Remember How It Fell

I Can Here The Sound Of Freedom
like A Distant Voice Who Called
and Beckon Me To Follow
where I Had Never Gone
and Though My Heart Is Willin'
I Just Stood There At The Wall
prayin Somehow It Would Fall
But In A Cross I Found A Doorway
and A Hand That Held A Key
and When The Chains Fell At My Feet
for The First Time I Could See

chorus:
This Is How It Feels To Be Free
This Is What It Means To Know That
I Am Forgiven
This Is How It Feels To Be Free
to See That Life Can Be More Than I Imagined
this Is How It Feels To Be Free
this Is How It Feels To Be Free Yeahhh!

there Are Days When I'm Reminded
of The Prison I Was In
like A Livin Nightmare
burning within
I Can Feel The Voice Of Evil
I Can Hear The Call Of Sin
But I Wont Go Back Again

see, Once I've Tasted Freedom
then The Walls Could Bind No More
since Mercy Gave Me Wings To Fly
like An Eagle I Can Soar


somewhere There's A Prison
where The Chains Still Burn
if Not For The Grace Of God
those Walls Could Still Be Mine
so for all the Captives I say