"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free... So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-32, 36 NIV) During the declining years of the Soviet Union, former President Gorbechov was attempting to steer the people toward a mixture of capitalism and Communism. Americans became familiar with two words that attempted to describe the policies of change in the former dictatorship of the USSR. Glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) became familiar to Westerners in the late Eighties. The phrase "what is not forbidden, that is allowed," was sent out by the Kremlin to describe the new attitude of change in the country of Russia in the late Eighties and early Nineties. Most people living in the former Soviet Union had only known the policies that came down from the dictatorship of the Communist Party. This new policy caused many people to think that they could do anything under the name of freedom. Once in 1992 I journeyed with five other evangelists to the far north of Russia in the Komi Republic. From Moscow, we traveled by plane and train to Inta, a city of about 75,000 people near the Artic Circle. We accomplished our mission to teach the Gospel and plant a church of Christ. We were the first American missionaries to venture to this city. We ran short of food at the place we were staying, and an interpreter who was helping us suggested that he could get whatever food we wanted. I asked how this could be possible since all the shops in town had empty shelves. He explained that there were warehouses loaded with products and he knew the right people. This was our introduction into the workings of the Russian black market. Sergey said with a shrug of the shoulders and palms up gesture, that it was a normal thing. On a much more grandiose scale, people with the right connections in Russia at the time of the collapse of the USSR felt free to appropriate vast sums of State owned property. Now the world is familiar with the Russian oligarchs who own and control coal, oil, gas and other essentials. Many people became instant billionaires with the government approved attitude of "what is not forbidden, that is allowed." True and lasting spiritual freedom comes about whenever we receive forgiveness of sins and place ourselves under the beneficent rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. When a person realizes that their sins are separating them from God, they must have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. (John 3:16, 8:24) Furthermore, Christ teaches that we should audibly confess our faith in Him. (Matthew 10:32-33) In addition, Jesus teaches that a sinner who desires forgiveness must repent of sins. (Luke 13:3, 24:46-47) Again, Jesus teaches very plainly that this believing, confessing and repentant sinner must be baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20) A person is thus born again by having obedient faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. This means the desire to be free of the guilt of sin. There is no greater form of slavery in the world than whenever a person loses their sense of dignity because they feel worthless in the eyes of God and other people. The heavy burden of unforgiven sins can cause a person to be a veritable slave to the highest bidder. The highest bidder is Satan who offers the allurement of false happiness through worldly pleasures. A person may turn to illicit sex looking for freedom, or to alcohol and drugs to hide their guilt. Dear friends, please do not fall into the deceit of the Devil and believe that you can drown yourself in so-called pleasures while turning your back on God. We discover true happiness and joy when we live under the rule of love that is God. (1 John 4:7-21) We often rebel and think that God`s way is against our own happiness. Sadly, later on, we learn that the worldly view of happiness only leads to slavery and disappointments. A person might say, "The Bible does not specifically say that I cannot use herion or cocaine, so I am going to do as I please." This rebellious attitude does not consider the great joy that comes from loving God, other people, and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. You are encouraged to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments. David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. | 