The Fear of Freedom

  Once again Saint Augustine has provided me with food for thought as I continue on my journey through Confessions. Last night I came across this quote:
   "From their grandeur of mind I was far removed. Caught fast in a disease of the flesh with its deadly sweetness, I dragged along my chains and was fearful of being loosed from them. As if my wound had been struck, I repelled his good and persuasive words, as I would a hand unlocking my chains."
  I was then reminded of what Paul says in Romans 7:14-15 (NIV), "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
  Sin is a wretched thing. There is that one moment of pleasure as we gratify our flesh, but it flees quickly. We are left groveling about with yet another link added to the chains we are loath to remove. Why is it that we drag them around? A painful burden that holds us in slavery. We push back the pierced hand of Christ when He reaches down to free us and continue to follow sin's wicked, siren song; ever unsatisfied.
  It is not till the Holy Spirit softens our hearts to the hand of Christ do we accept Him and heed the call to freedom. It is only Christ we leave our chains behind and embrace freedom without fear or regret.