It is one thing to desire a glorious destiny, it is another thing to know what ought to be known in order to walk into the reality of that desired destiny. Ecclesiastics 10:15 says; “The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.”  So, it is not enough to know the city or see the glorious city or have ambition of getting into the glorious city, the problem is “how” to get into the city. When we talk about “how” here it refers to paths, or pathways, truths, and principles that can get you, anyone and everyone to their desired city or destiny. 

The path that leads to life and freedom is neither found by self-seeking nor listening to falsehood or false prophets, it is discovered when one comes to a place where he believes that nothing can be substituted for the truth. See the simple solution the Holy Spirit has provided for such a problem, and it is written in Jeremiah 6:16, it says; “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” So, rest is not a question of doubt, it is guaranteed but there is a way that you must find in order to get that rest. For anyone who desires rest, the Scripture says; “stand ye in the ways” talking about a posture that you must take” the next thing it says is; “ask” so if you are asking and haven’t found answers, the question we should ask is are you standing in the way? Are you taking the right posture to receive answers or be shown the way? Standing in the way talks about freedom and restriction. If you are so free to the point that you have refused to stand in the way to ask, how will you find the paths? These are issues that we must consider as individuals, as a people and as a nation.

A lot of people so wish to have a good life and lay claim to all that it offers but have refused or failed to stand in the way. This matter is so critical to the point that Jesus had to make it very plain to the people, to you and to me, in order to avoid any ambiguity that He is the way, and no one can go the Father except through Him, and yet we have refused to stand in that way. You cannot wish yourself access to all that the Father has if you are not found to be on the way. And that is why a man who will be truly successful is a man that correctly appreciate freedom, and apply its principles to guide his daily routine and choices.  It was Peter Marshall that said; “May we think freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” So, what is the right thing to do? To restrict or confine ourselves to the way that Christ has shown us. Even though it doesn’t look like freedom, but it is freedom in disguise. As much as man is allowed or given the freedom to make choices and free to do anything, it is also important for every man to know that whatever he chooses to do comes with its own consequences. Galatians 6:7 says; “Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.” (TPT)

This text above emphasizes on the fact that God honors your choices and He blesses them. Irrespective of what you have sown, you reap to the same degree or direct proportion of your sowing. So, as long as the earth remains, this law can neither be twisted nor manipulated. It talks about the fact that we must be mindful of the choices we make because the destiny of every man on the earth is a function or a product of the choices they make. For example, you may want to reflect on your life right now, and after you are done, if you are truthful to yourself you will realize that where you are right now is a function of the decisions and choices you made yesterday, and where you will be tomorrow is also a function of the choices and decisions you are making on a daily basis.

So, if you do what is right, you get the right results, and if you do what is wrong don’t be surprised when your results are wrong. So, this draws our attention to the fact that life should be threaded with caution. Does this then mean that man is free to do anything and everything he pleases? The answer is no! see what Deuteronomy 30:19 says; “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” See what it says; “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing.” You have the freedom to choose. You can’t choose ‘death’ and expect to live, neither can you choose ‘cursing’ and expect to be blessed. So, if you want to be blessed, do what is appropriate in order to attract blessings.

So, what does it mean to be free? It means having the power or right to act, speak, go, or think as one wants. But see what John 8:31-32, says; “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” So even though man has the power or right to act, speak or think as he wants or will; if such is done outside the context of the word, such a person is never truly free. So true freedom is when an individual has the liberty or power to act, speak and think inside of Christ.  Anything outside the word, Christ and The Holy Spirit is bondage. So, freedom is not free in itself, it is a product of the principles and choices we allow to govern and restrict our actions and inactions. Your freedom is defined within the scope of what you speak, where you go, how you act to the instructions of the Holy Spirit. You will never be truly free if your will is not in alignment with the will of Christ which could also be the way of Christ.

See what Galatians 5:13 says; “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” Did we see that again? True freedom is whatever you do within the specifications of the word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. True freedom is in love and service for one another. This is strange but it is the truth. Any man that finds it difficult to either submit to authority, to serve, be accountable, and willing to commit himself to every matter that pertains to life and to godliness is really not free. If you lack this understanding you may never walk in the reality of true freedom, neither can you walk in the reality of that glorious destiny you so much desire.

Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:12 says; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” What is he trying to say here? It is possible that I have the freedom to do everything and anything as I please, but not everything would be helpful to me, so I exercise self-control and put my body under subjection. Freedom without self-control is a direct ticket to destruction. Freedom to speak, act and think outside of God’s word is error. Apostle Paul pointing this fact to us again in Philippians 4:8, it says; “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

This is how to stand in the way, this is how to be truly free, this is the spirituality of freedom, this is what can guarantee you that glorious destiny you desire. And all these can be found in Christ. To be in Christ and His word is freedom indeed

Thanks for the gift of your time, Apeh Francis Abah!
Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond as soon as possible!