There was a time when we were in bondage to sin. The good news is that we have been set free by the work of Christ. Having been freed from our bondage, The Lord calls us to go forth and live as free men. (1 Peter 2:16) Sadly, many professing Christians continue to insist on living like slaves to the world. For some it’s hard to tell the difference between them and unbelievers. Here’s 10 Things Christians Can Do To Live Free.
1. Prioritize
Though The Bible does not lay out a literal step-by-step order for priorities, if you study it in its entirety, there are clearly priorities set by God for his people. Of course, God comes first. Second, comes your spouse. Third, comes your children. Yes, your children come after your spouse in Biblical priority. Have as many as you can. Be fruitful and multiply.
(Genesis 1:28) Children are truly a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5) And bonus, having lots of children annoys eugenicists, environmentalists and other various self-righteous busybodies.
After your children comes everything else. One priority that frequently gets mixed up today is one’s vocation. Far too many people worship at the altar in the office-the desk. The reason is usually money (Matthew 6:24), or worse, to escape. God is priority number one, then your spouse, then your children, and somewhere after that, your employer.
2. Study Scripture Daily
This should go without saying. Read scripture and scriptural books. Contemplate on The Word. Renew your mind. (Romans 12:1-2)
3. Have Daily Family Worship
Parents have the duty and the gift of leading family worship. (Deuteronomy 11:18-19) Attend Church with your family weekly, observe The Sabbath on The Lord’s Day, worship daily at home and catechize.
4. Think Critically
We live in an age of mindlessness. Most of us were never taught to think critically. To question anything is seen as adversarial behavior. In public schools and colleges critical thinking skills are practically considered a character defect. This is mostly done in the name of so-called tolerance.
Study Logic and learn how to spot common fallacies. Mathematics is a form of logic that should be studied as well.
5. Educate Your Children
Teach your children the wisdom of The Lord. Teach them to think critically. While no doubt there are some great well-meaning teachers in the public school system, the fact is the public school system is a failure where secularism, humanism and socialism runs rampant. Civil government has no place in education. Homeschool is ideal. If you can’t homeschool find a good Christian private school. If you must subject your kids to government school you must supplement their education and be vigilant.
6. Take Care of Your Body
I know that it sounds cliché but diet and exercise is the answer. This cannot be a temporary regimen but a way of life. Christians must be good stewards with the bodies God has given us. And forget what the government says is a good diet. The idea is to invert their food pyramid. Consider a paleolithic or traditional diet.
7. Produce
A child is consumed with consuming. An adult is consumed with producing. While there is a time for rest and leisure, the fact is we were not created to be merely entertained. We were created to glorify and enjoy God, and be fruitful. There are too many men who’s joy and time is found in childish things like video games. A man finds pleasure in building things. One of the most fulfilling labors for a man is building a Godly family.
8. Avoid Debt
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Don’t be a slave. Pay cash. However, if you must borrow; don’t steal and pay your debts, only commit to a fixed interest rate, and avoid a term longer than 7 years. Remember, you don’t actually own it until it’s payed off.
9. Live Peaceably
Most people do not know the nature of force. Because of this, most people misunderstand the nature of government.
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence – it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
The cold truth is most people are statists. This is true even of many self-described limited-government conservatives.
There’s a great deal of talk about the threat of big government. However, don’t even think about trying to do anything to actually limit the government in any meaningful way. See what happens if you dare to even mention cuts for social security, public school funding or, heaven forbid, military spending for unjust wars! People think that it’s not stealing or murder if the government does it. And how can someone be pro-life when it comes to the unborn, yet shrug, nay, cheer on the killing of innocents in warfare? Christians should learn and discuss political issues. A vital part of our studies should include property rights, sound money and economics. Namely Biblical Economics (A.K.A Austrian Economics). With God’s grace and careful study, we can learn how to live in peace as servants of God rather than for the evil desires of men.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
10. Turn Off the TV
Turn off the glowing brainwashing box! Quit watching the news (Yes, even Fox News!), cancel your cable subscription and your subscription to the rags. Use the money to read books.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.