I Love Dogs
Some of you may be surprised to learn that I love dogs. It's a shocker, I know, but it's true. I trained my dogs to enter a crate when I needed to leave the house. To prevent fighting, a couple of the males must be in their crates, even when I am home. Periodically, throughout the day and night, I will switch which one is in a crate so none of them have to stay there for a long period.
Recently, I've observed that a couple of them will still go into their crates and lie down, even when they have the freedom to roam the house. Experts say they do this because it's a safe place for them, a sanctuary where they feel secure and at peace.
I have a different theory. I think my dogs have become so accustomed to being locked up that they don't know what to do when given freedom.
Many of us are the same way when it comes to our bondage with sin. Even though Jesus has freed us from our bondage and broken the chains of sin, we still return to our old ways. It's almost as if we have become comfortable in our sin and don't know how to function without it. Like my dogs, who have grown used to being confined, we must retrain ourselves, learn how to live in freedom and embrace the hope and possibility of change in our spiritual journey.
We must remind ourselves daily of the freedom Jesus gave us and not fall back into old patterns, which is why we need to constantly renew our minds and hearts with the Word of God. This powerful tool can guide us in our spiritual journey and keep us on the path of righteousness.
Only by constantly reminding ourselves of our freedom in Christ and renewing our minds can we break free from the chains of sin and truly live in the liberty that Jesus has given us, which also means being intentional about surrounding ourselves with a supportive Christian community and accountability so that we may encourage one another in our walk toward freedom. Let us not become comfortable in our bondage but embrace the freedom Jesus offers and live fully in His love and grace.