If Jesus Set Me Free, Why Do I Still Have to Follow Rules?

Here we go. Hey, Carpool Crew. Welcome back to Questions from the Backseat. Today's question is one I love: If Jesus really set me free, why do I still have to follow rules? Okay, here's the answer. Jesus didn't set you free to do whatever you want. He set you free to love God and love others, and the rules show you how to love others well. Now, here's the thing. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters. Only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Did you catch that last part? "Serve one another through love." Free, and then love others. The freedom is real, but it points somewhere. Here's the deal. There are two kinds of free. Think about a fish. A fish is free when it's in the water, doing exactly what a fish was made to do, swimming around. Take that fish out and drop it on the carpet so it can do whatever it wants, and it is not more free. It's in trouble. See, real freedom isn't no rules at all. It's living the way you were actually made to live. God's rules are like the water. Be kind, tell the truth, forgive others. Don't take what isn't yours. That's not God trying to box you in. That's God showing you how to live, how to swim. So when your parents say, "Be honest, share, say sorry, and act like you mean it," that's not the opposite of freedom. That's the water you were made for. Here's the one thing today. Jesus set you free to love others, and His rules show you how to do it. Today, grab one rule that you sometimes grumble about and do it on purpose, and notice that it actually is loving others. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you, and if you have a question you want answered, you can submit it. We have a link in the show notes, or you can go to carpoolingwithjesus.com. I hope you have an incredible day, Carpool Crew. I'll see you later.