religiousaffections

As I read the Psalm 123 this morning I am reminded of what it is to be a servant of Christ.  I am also reminded of how upside-down our lives should look to those who hold a secular worldview.  In thinking about being a servant of Jesus, the concept of American freedom came to mind.  In virtually all spheres of American culture, this concept of freedom in celebrated.  Truly, we are a blessed people - blessed to live under democracy and blessed to practice our religion.  As a people, we Americans enjoy freedom that others across the globe cannot even fathom.

Freedom is on everyone’s lips.  It is announced and celebrated today more than ever.  Ironically though, not many feel or act free.  Everywhere I turn I hear complaints: I can’t spend my money the way I want because I have too many bills; I can’t spend my time the way I want because I have to work; I can’t be myself because my parents are too strict; I’m locked down because of my job (or school).  I turn around only to meet another addict.  Addiction to drugs, alcohol, compulsive work habits, or obsessive consumption.  How can it be that so many live in prison in the freest country on earth?  

We trade masters and remain enslaved.  A secular worldview values greater and greater freedom.  Such men appear to be seeking this greater freedom at all costs - making more money so they don’t have to work as much, moving away to college to get away from parental tyranny, and coming up with personalized moral systems so that no one can call into question their behaviors.  Increased freedom from other people, institutions, and moral systems - this is what American culture celebrates as freedom.  What makes the Christian worldview “upside-down” from the above?

Ironically, the Christian way that Jesus holds up is quite opposite.  For us, freedom looks nothing like America’s freedom.  The Christian is a person who recognizes that our most pressing need is not achieving freedom from everyone and everything, but in learning humble service under and better master. The Christian realizes that any way of life, any relationship that excludes God becomes oppressive.  While our culture looks at Christianity as a straightjacket - have you ever heard a mature servant of Christ complain of the oppressive conditions of his/her servitude?  I know that I haven’t.  And I suppose that is because the faithful servant of Jesus is actually the freest person on earth!  The Kingdom of God is truly an upside down Kingdom.  I am grateful for the grace of God who came in flesh as our representative substitute and merited, by his righteousness, our entrance into this upside down Kingdom.