Daily Devotional
Are You Growing in Freedom?

July 4, 2024

Ponder This

Responsibility and liberty are inextricably connected. When a baby is born, that baby has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry about paying the light bills. He doesn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store. The baby doesn’t even have to worry about changing his own clothes. The baby has no responsibilities, but the baby also has no liberties. He doesn’t decide where he’s going to sleep. He doesn’t decide what kind of diapers he is going to wear. He almost doesn’t decide anything for himself.

But as the child grows and can assume more responsibilities, he is given more liberties. After a while, when the child is responsible enough, maybe he’s allowed to walk home from school. Then comes the day when he or she is sixteen and he says, “Dad, can I borrow the car?” The dad considers, “Is my son a responsible individual? Has he shown by the way he lives that he can be trusted to take a car on the highway and drive it? Has he shown enough responsibility to be given this liberty?” In the same way, we experience more freedom as we further become people who love God and His commands.

• How have you seen the link between responsibility and liberty in your life?
• What does it look like to be responsible with the commands God has given you?

Practice This

Reflect on any commands you have been ignoring and take immediate action.