Let’s face it. We’re in a commitment crisis. As I see it, there are two problems 1) people have a hard time committing and 2) people have a hard time keeping their commitments.

For example, our culture encourages multiple dating partners, sleeping together, moving in together and all before the promise of a marriage covenant. If people do make a covenant to each other, they move out when things don’t turn out the way they want.

The church is a lot like a marriage relationship. People will date many churches looking to take the best from each church. Once they find one they can live with, they move in. They start shackin' up with a church! They never make a commitment to a church, and if they do, they easily move out when things aren’t exactly the way they want it.

The lack of commitment is causing so many to miss out on something extremely beneficial in their lives. They are missing an opportunity to be LIBERATED.

A covenant liberates you in a couple areas of your life…
First, making and keeping a commitment liberates you to experience true love and community. It’s what nearly every woman knows.  It’s the promise of the marriage covenant that allows for deeper love and community between a husband and wife. That’s why the marriage ceremony is such a big deal. The covenant is made and the opportunity for real love begins. Those who simply date or shack-up with a church miss an opportunity for true love and community.

Second, making and keeping a covenant liberates your growth.  My wife is killing me and I am killing her. Of course not literally! Spiritually, God is using each of us to kill our selfishness and to grow us into people who resemble God.  Keeping the covenant when it would have been easy to walk out has liberated a new me. Those who walk away from a covenant they have made with a church because of selfish reasons, miss an opportunity to grow.


Randall

        

Freedom is one the most treasured experiences on Earth. It is also one of the hardest to achieve. In one since we are all free, but in another, we are all slaves to our freedom. We are free in most cases to become the person we want to be but few ever become that person.  We are free to do all things but few choose the things that will be the most beneficial to them. To freely chase every impulse isn’t freedom, it’s an open door to slavery. Here are two principles that have helped me experience freedom in my life.

Principle 1. True freedom is found within boundaries. For example, I am technically free to look at anything I want on the Internet, but I know that could lead to destructive addictions. Therefore, I have set up my own boundaries. My wife and a close friend, have complete access to all of my Internet history. Every two weeks they receive a report of every moment I spend on the Internet. This boundary gives me the freedom to become the man I want to be. Like guardrails along the high curvy roads of a mountain, boundaries help me safely rise to new heights.

Principle 2. Often, we do what is inspected, not expected. I have found this to be true in nearly every area of my life. The areas of my life that are least inspected and where I have the most freedom are the hardest areas to achieve success. I have found the greatest freedom in accountability. Friends who care enough to ask the hard questions and inspect my life are my truest friends. Accountability isn’t fun but it's freeing.

The Bible says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) If this is true, then why are so many of us still in slavery to our addictions. It’s because we have failed to set up our own boundaries and accountability. Jesus unlocks the chains that keep us bound but boundaries and accountability help remove the chains.

Like you, I desire to be the greatest person I can be.  I find freedom in Jesus and with the help of self imposed boundaries and friends who hold me accountable.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you friends.
Randall

PS - For the Internet accountability service I use click here.

        

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