tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025801700827713515.post7970854839349523172..comments2014-09-01T21:54:14.998-04:00Comments on Lifting the Spirit: Experience of a UU Christian: The Truth Will Make You FreeLaVerne Coanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09689659861818243420noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025801700827713515.post-90736294404789973052009-07-09T11:43:20.458-04:002009-07-09T11:43:20.458-04:00For myself, the freedom Jesus is talking about in ...For myself, the freedom Jesus is talking about in John's passage is the level of "peace" I experience that flows out of the comfortableness I have with my understanding of my position on an issue. The more connected I feel with God the more secure I feel in my position. With this freedom comes responsibility. I "freely choose" to carry the burden from any repercussions that may develop out of my actions because I truly feel that I am responding in the way God wants me to.<br /><br />"Freedom" is not the ability to do whatever I want but the ability to stand up for what I believe is right. Therefore, there will inevitably going to be times when I support my country or my church, . . etc. and there will be times when I am in opposition. In other words, I am free from the restraints that come from "Having two masters". I am free to choice God over church or state. Now don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that laws or rules do not have a place but that place is to help maintain a social order that places the common good over personal interests. The question is not what is good for me or my country or my church but what is good for the human family. This calls for sacrifice at times. Some will argue that this means we are not truly free but I disagree because we are free to make the choice of what we place as priorities in our life. I freely choose to place God first.<br /><br />The grace of "freewill" gives me that out when I am unable to met the challenges placed before me. God lovely stands by and allows me to work it out for myself. He waits patiently for me to increase my understanding, to grow in faith and wisdom at my own pace.lyndahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08270385268598711913noreply@blogger.com