Freedom Looks A Lot Like Slavery

This could go two ways.  I'll go both for the sake of the way my brain processes things anyway.

Take 1:

Demand your rights.  No one can take anything from you or tell you to do anything you don't want to.  You are the keeper of yourself, your body, your life, your stuff.  But how often do we miss the chains that come with this supposed freedom.  Like increasing isolationism, racism, sexism, and most other isms as we hold so tightly to our own rights that we marginalize everyone who is different from us.

Does this sound like freedom to you?

We put chains on others.  We end up still in chains because when we are our own sole advocate, the weight of our actions still comes down on our own heads and we make a lot of noise when some one oppresses us but all it is is a cycle of oppressed:oppressor:repeat.

Freedom = slavery

Take 2:

Lay down your life.  Willingly.  Lay it down in love.  Love for the One who alone stands as the advocate for not only the sins committed against you, but also for the sins you committed against others.  You surrender your right to accuse others and to live offended.  You find forgiveness and the empowerment to pursue righteousness wholeheartedly.

Does this sound like freedom to you?

We take our new found freedom, the forgiveness of sin that only Jesus can give, because He alone is sinless.  Our chains being taken away, we find more freedom and joy in forgiving others, setting them free as we have been set free.  We become slaves to righteousness, sold to the cause of purity of heart, meekness and holiness; to the cause of the kingdom of God.

Freedom = slavery