We like to boast of our independence. We like to think of ourselves as free agents who make our own decisions. No one can tell us what to do.
To a certain extent, this is true. We really do make decisions for ourselves. For example, we are free to choose what we read or what we watch on television. And, we make the choice whether we are going to read or watch at all.
But in many areas of life we are not free to make our own decisions. The school tells us what courses we must complete in order to receive a diploma. Our boss at our place of employment tells us what work we must perform in order to receive a paycheck. The shopkeeper tells us what price we must pay to buy his goods. If we are unwilling to comply with their decisions and requirements, then we will not receive the benefits they offer.
There is also another sense in which we are not free. Each of us acts according to our basic nature. To put it another way, we each have something fundamental within us which controls how we act and behave. Even worse, we become slaves to our attitudes, desires and habits. The Apostle Peter writes, “…a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” (2 Peter 2:19 NIV) In this sense, none of us is truly free or independent. It is only a question of what or who our Master is.
In light of this, we need to ask ourselves what or who we serve. Who or what has mastered us? Do our appetites control us? Are we driven by our emotions? Does greed dictate to us?
While we cannot choose whether we will serve, we can choose whom we will serve. If we submit to God’s rule and allow Him to give us His Spirit, He will free us from the things which mastered us before. The Apostle Paul writes, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace, because the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8 NIV)
Some make the mistake of thinking that they can allow their appetites and passions control them and still serve God. But as the Scripture above points out, this is an impossibility. We cannot please God while we give our allegiance to something else. We must choose one or the other.
Jesus also taught this truth. He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 NIV)
Who is in control of our lives?