In Dr. Evans’ new liberating series “Free at Last,” we learn how to live a life of “Freedom from Irresponsibility.” We often wonder why God has not brought us into our “promised land.” From a worldly perspective, we tend to blame circumstances and people for preventing us from obtaining success. We may pray about our destiny as we search for our purpose, only to feel that we have never made it out of the wilderness. We can rest assured that it is God’s intention that we walk in freedom, fulfilling the purpose He has planned for each of us; however, we must experience freedom from irresponsibility for true success. Let us reflect upon how we can experience the freedom to become responsible as we enter into God’s purpose and destiny for our lives.
Freedom from irresponsibility requires the price of responsibility. Responsibility is the price of freedom. God’s goal in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt was to set them free to develop and mature in such a way that they would be ready for their destiny; however, deliverance from Egypt did not guarantee their freedom. They had to grow, develop, and mature into responsible people after they had been in bondage for hundreds of years; they had to learn many things in preparation for the Promised Land. We, too, must learn the lessons God is teaching us before we can be successful. As we pray for deliverance, God is often asking, “Where is the responsibility?”
Freedom from irresponsibility requires making the right choices. God allows all of us the freedom to make choices, but we frequently choose to be irresponsible. Responsibility requires us to take ownership for fulfilling our assigned tasks, using our God-given abilities; irresponsibility demonstrates how we squander those God-given abilities, not fulfilling His assigned tasks for our lives. Becoming a mature believer requires moving past how the world operates and moving into the ways of how God operates, becoming obedient unto Him. In Joshua, Chapter 1, the Israelites prepared to cross over Jordan into the Promised Land. The Israelites had a choice to make. Their time of preparation was over. They could stay at the river bank or they could trust God. The wilderness was training ground for preparation and now the choice was up to them. Frequently, we cry out to God to deliver us out of the wilderness into our destiny, but we choose to hold on to what the world offers. Although God urges us to choose to see His ways and His vision, it is our choice. He will not force His way on any believer. It requires our action.
Freedom from irresponsibility requires action on our part. In verse 3, God told Joshua, “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I am giving it to you…” God expects us to obtain what has already been given. The word “tread” refers to the treading of grapes. To make grape juice, the grapes have to be squeezed. Squeezing implies that some pressure will be applied to produce the juice that becomes the wine. God told Joshua to tread the land and receive all of it where his foot fell, realizing that pressure would come with it, and action would be required. In the wilderness, God provided the manna for the children of Israel as they were preparing for the Promised Land. But in Joshua, Chapter 5, verse 12, we see that the manna ceased on the day after they ate the yield of the land. God provided the mechanisms needed for the Israelites to cultivate the land and grow food; therefore, He no longer needed to provide food supernaturally. We sometimes expect God to provide supernaturally for us in our circumstance or need. God can and will provide, but, often, God is requiring action on our part. In I Timothy, Chapter 6, verse 12, Paul entreats Timothy to “lay hold of the eternal life that is within him.” God will do His part; He provides the raw materials but expects us to take responsibility to do the work. If we are unwilling to exercise our responsibility, God is often unwilling to give what has been promised.
Freedom from irresponsibility requires courage to face your enemies. God is not in the business of creating irresponsible Christians. God can and does open doors for us, but it requires responsibility with courage to move forward into the success God has promised. Three times, God told Joshua, “be strong and very courageous…” (vs. 6, 7, and 9). It would require courage to move forward. The Promised Land already belonged to the Israelites, but they had to possess it. There were enemies in the land and they were there for a purpose. The challenge was to take what God had given. Their enemies were not going to give up without a fight and neither will ours. There are obstacles and challenges that will block us from what God promises; yet, God uses our enemies to work for us. We must respond by responsibly following God’s command, “Only be strong and courageous.” God is saying, “I have promised you something. Don’t let the obstacles stop you from moving forward and fulfilling your destiny.”
Freedom from irresponsibility through responsibility is tied to God’s promises. In verses 7 and 8, God revealed how the Israelites must live their lives in order to realize His promises, “Only be strong and courageous; be careful to obey according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go…” God told the Israelites to take the word of God with them to the land of their enemies; and, by doing what the word said to do, they would prosper. In verse 5, God promised that “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.” Just as the Israelites were assured that through obedience and responsibility, they would realize God’s plan and promises for their lives, we, as Christians, can enjoy His plan and promises for our lives through obedience, responsibility, and action. What good news!
As dedicated, responsible, and obedient Christians, we must remember that no human being can define our freedom. God promises that no man, no circumstance, no thing is so powerful, strong, or influential that it can keep us from His purpose and destiny for our lives if we will assume responsibility and take action according to His will. Success demands responsibility under God, and he will have the last word. God does not measure us by our wealth, social status, or job status. Success, legitimate success in God’s economy, is fulfilling His purpose for our lives.
