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あらすじ・解説
Living Freely Without Fear: A Call to the Church In the New Testament, the concept of freedom is central to the believer's life. This freedom, as taught by Jesus and the apostles, isn’t just about being released from the bondage of sin; it’s about living in a state of spiritual liberty that reflects the gospel's transformative power. But as we explore this freedom, we must recognize a crucial aspect: true freedom in Christ allows us to live without fear—of each other, of the world, and even of our own failures. Jesus said in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is comprehensive; it’s freedom from sin’s power, freedom from the condemnation of the law, and freedom to live as God intended—joyfully and without fear. Yet, we know that as human beings, we are often entangled in fear. Fear of judgment from others, fear of rejection, fear of failure, and even fear of truly being known. These fears can trap us, keeping us from experiencing the fullness of the freedom Christ promises. The church, as a community of believers, is meant to be a place where this freedom is lived out collectively. In Galatians 5:13, Paul reminds us, "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." This freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want; it’s about serving one another in love, free from the constraints of fear, suspicion, or hidden agendas. But what happens when fear creeps in? Fear can lead us to misunderstand or even harm one another, often under the guise of good intentions. We think we’re protecting ourselves or others, but in reality, fear-driven actions can fracture relationships and sow distrust. James 3:16 says, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." Fear often disguises itself as concern, leading to jealousy, mistrust, and disunity. Instead of embracing the freedom Christ promises, we can become ensnared by these fears, and our relationships within the church suffer as a result. So how do we combat this? By cultivating an environment where freedom is not just a theological concept, but a lived reality. A church should be a place where people can be themselves without fear of condemnation, where they are free to grow, free to struggle, and free to be vulnerable. This kind of freedom fosters trust, unity, and deep, authentic relationships. It’s crucial for us to remember that this freedom is rooted in love and trust—trust in God and trust in one another. As 1 John 4:18 tells us, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." In a community perfected in love, fear has no place. This doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges or misunderstandings, but it does mean that we approach these challenges from a place of love, grace, and freedom rather than fear. As a pastor, my heart is to help guard this freedom within our community. I want to be someone who nurtures an environment where you can walk in this freedom confidently—free from fear of judgment, free from fear of rejection, and free to be who God has called you to be. This means fostering open communication, encouraging vulnerability, and continually pointing us all back to the freedom we have in Christ. We are called to be a people who live freely, not just in theory but in practice—loving one another genuinely, trusting one another deeply, and walking together without fear. My prayer is that we become a community that embodies this freedom, where every person can experience the fullness of life in Christ without the chains of fear holding them back. This is the kind of church I want to be a part of—a church where freedom is our reality, our testimony, and our shared experience.