Flee for Freedom?

Why is it that people run from their problems? Everyone does it at some point in their life. They hit a "bump in the road" and feel like they have to give up and run away to be free.

This is what Cyprian thought when persecution began in Carthage. Cyprian was the Bishop of Carthage in A.D. 248. His job was to teach people the message of the bible and to stay strong in the faith. So what does he do when persecution of the church began in A.D. 250? He runs. They very thing He told the Christians of Carthage NOT to do, he did.

There is a story about the Apostle Peter doing a similar thing. Peter was in Rome preaching the word of Christ, but when his life was threatened, he left. Ran away from Rome and the people to whom he was supposed to be an example.

We have a special theme for this week here at CCU. Its "Mastered by Nothing". The verse to go along with that theme is 1 Corinthians 6:12. It says this: "Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me- but I will not be mastered by anything." The whole point is to no longer be controlled by the addictions in your life... it could be ANYTHING. Food, Porn/Sex, Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Tickling...ANYTHING. Now, talking about addictions may seem off subject when it comes to talking about running away from your problems, but hear me out. To conquer your addictions, you are going to have to face them head on. You cant hide them away and hope they disappear. You cant pretend they arent real. You have to admit to the problem then tackle it. No running away.

There are two points, which I took from our president's, Dr. Faust, sermon today, that go with this pretty well.
First, Remember struggle is Normal. It may be a struggle with an addiction, or it may be persecution. Either way, struggles are unavoidable. Secondly, Victory is Possible with God's help. You will be able to over come the struggles as long as you give it all to God and allow him to work in your life to free you. Even if that struggle means being persecuted for your faith. God will be with you and allow you and help you overcome. "God can turn your misery into a ministry, your struggles into strength, and your troubles into a testimony."

Cyprian, shortly after running away, realized the problem of what he was doing. He was running away from persecution... the OPPOSITE of what he told the church to do. He went back. Going back wasn't so bad. He was able to continue teaching an preaching for a few more years. He was persecuted though. In A.D. 258 he was executed for his faith and what he taught. But you know what he said when he heard he was being sentenced to death? He said "Well thank God!"

Peter, while resting the first night after leaving Rome, was said to have had a vision. In the vision, Jesus appeared carrying His cross and heading toward Rome. Peter asked Him, "Where are you going, Lord?" Jesus answered him, "To Rome to be crucified anew". Upon waking, Peter realized that his job was in Rome spreading the word of Christ not running from his problems. Shortly after his return, he was arrested then crucified. Sounds like a pretty lousy ending, but now He is in with Christ. It cant get any better than that.

Don't be scared of your problems. Don't Flee in hope of Freedom. "...Do not be mastered by anything." Trust God with your problems; allow Him to have control. Do that and you will experience more freedom than you can ever imagine. True freedom can only be found in Christ.

My new theme verse:

"Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me- but I will not be mastered by anything." I Corinthians 6:12