The Shepherd’s Psalm and the Religion of Freedom– by Desmond Ford

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Sep 28, 2015 3114

There is one religion that is a religion of bondage, because to try earn your way to heaven by keeping the commandments is to begin an impossible task that can never be accomplished. Climbing up to heaven by Sinai is a risky business. One slip and you’re done. It’s a religion of fear. It’s a religion of bondage.

But the religion of Jesus, in which for love’s sake we gladly respond, that’s a religion of freedom. The whole Bible is about this freedom, both the Old and New Testaments.

…the Religion of Jesus is a Religion of Freedom

Even the most familiar passages tell the story. Consider Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

That’s freedom from want.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul”.

That’s freedom from degeneration and decline.”

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

That’s freedom from fear.”

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou annointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over.”

That’s freedom from insecurity.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

That’s freedom from separation and death.

The message of the gospel is freedom – freedom from sin.

­­– Des Ford. Rom 8:27–32. Adapted from “The Only Two Religions.”