“I knew there would be a catch… Nothing’s ever free!” I bet you’ve heard that before, and maybe even said it yourself. We live in a time when being a “doubter” is considered smart, or at least necessary. (Think telemarketers, politicians or television advertisers!) And if the word “free” pops up in the conversation, you may want to hang up the phone or turn the channel. Skepticism has a place in our day, but how about in our faith?

Before I sound too much like I’m being the spoiler in the room, have you ever looked up the word “free”? Depending on the usage (adjective, verb, noun) there really is a range of meanings. What do you think when I say the word? No cost? No constraints? No controls? How about, no prison bars? No payment required? No penalty served? By now you have another question for me; why all the questions about “free”?

In Chapter 10 of The Bridge from OneDayBow; Tim is excited about what is ahead on this new journey, now that he’s in the Kingdom. And he is grateful – aware that a great gift has been given to him – actually multiple gifts: new life, new location, new purpose! How can he ever repay the King and His Son for all they have done? The answer the Son gives is the basis for the question, “Free, or not free?”

“Tim, I don’t expect you to pay back anything.

You received this freely when you trusted in the King.

But if you’re really asking, ‘What does the King require?’

Trust and obey Him always, in actions and desire.”

Tim received the gifts freely when he trusted in the King. No repayment necessary, period. Then what is the King’s requirement all about? “Trust and obey Him always…” sounds to me like there is a cost involved. Not only that, but the Son goes on to tell Tim in no uncertain terms that trust and obedience are not going to come naturally or easily. And since this is the Story Behind the Story, what does this mean for the born-again Christian, graced with new life, new citizenship in God’s Kingdom, and new purpose?When you enter in to a relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into a relationship. I know, I repeated myself, but don’t miss the impact of that. You don’t sign a contract, but neither do you turn and run. If God gives you new life, it is perfectly reasonable to expect He wants you to do something with that life. As a citizen of Heaven, along with other believers all around the world and throughout time, you have an amazing purpose: to live for God’s glory! Is that hard? No, actually, it is impossible apart from His Holy Spirit! But that brings me back to the free thing again and some of the definitions I gave you earlier. In Christ, we are set free from the prison of sin and are now free to live for Him within the purpose He created us for!  A few verses out of John, chapter 8 will be helpful. This is Jesus speaking:

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:34-36)

See it? We had something to be set free from, a relationship we are saved to, and an ongoing opportunity to live in the freedom Christ gives! So the question of “Free, or not free” is answered by the gift received and the empowerment to live as God’s child continually. No longer held captives, God’s desire is that we walk as those who are truly free!

Which leads me to one last question: Christian friend, are you living as free, or not free?