The Freedom Walk

Most people reading these words live in America, the land of the “free.” It is also a land governed by law. The law may seem to restrict us at times, but it is meant for our good. It ensures freedom for all. It is a great plan until it falls into the hands of evil men who do not want to be a “Nation under God.” To keep this from happening, our forefathers built safeguards into our system. One of these safety nets is the three branches of the government. The Legislative branch makes the laws, the Executive branch carries out the laws, and the Judicial branch interprets the laws.

As a young, foolish, fun-loving, freedom-loving, thrill-loving, speed-loving, red-blooded American, I was actually a lawbreaker. This was my question: “Why make cars that go over 100 miles per hour and then make speed limits far below that?” It took me a few years and a few more tickets, a blown-up motor, and bald tires to finally get a right attitude. One police officer gave me some wonderful advice instead of a speeding ticket that I deserved; “Why don’t you just slow down and enjoy the trip up through this beautiful canyon?”

It is nice to get a break when you are in the wrong. That’s called mercy. What about justice? I had a chance to try out the three branches of government one time. The Legislative branch had set the speed limit at 45 mph. The Executive branch pulled me over for speeding. This time I was not speeding. I chose to go to the Judicial branch. After hearing a number of very interesting cases, the judge made an announcement. “All those having a citation by Officer _____ are free to go. He has been dismissed from the force.” About a dozen people, including myself, got up and left.

Let’s look for a moment at God’s idea of freedom. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). I am not the only one that is a lawbreaker—you are too. The human race has to plead guilty. Imagine standing someday before the highest Judicial Court in the universe, and pleading guilty to breaking the perfect Legislative laws of the Almighty God. There is only one thing that can save you then. It is the Great Executive Branch Commander in Chief, Jesus Himself. To be “in Jesus Christ” on that day, to hear “no condemnation…” will cause the greatest feeling of freedom that we have ever known to well up within us. Not only will we be rejoicing; God, the great cloud of witnesses, the angels of heaven, our friends and loved ones, and everyone but the “Old Serpent” will join us! Imagine hearing something like, “Officer Lucifer has been dismissed from the force, all those who are, ‘in Christ Jesus’ are free to go.”

The wonderful news about our great, loving, Almighty God is that He can’t stand to wait until that final hearing to pronounce, “no condemnation.” Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which ARE in Christ Jesus, who WALK [present tense]…after the Spirit” (emphasis added). That freedom is for us NOW, brothers and sisters! To walk after the Spirit is the true freedom walk.

I think of the many times I was speeding and wasn’t caught. Was it really freedom? If it was, then why was I keeping an eye on the rearview mirror? It was a pleasure of sin for the moment. I have driven many miles with the freedom that comes (as the officer advised) from slowing down and enjoying the beauty of “holiness.” I even look forward to the “Executive Officer” pulling me over and saying, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Let’s celebrate the Freedom Walk!