Today’s Readings: Rom 6:1-11John 8:33-47
In the Gospel of John, ‘Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”  The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for ever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.’  Romans 6 discusses that when we were baptized into Christ and his death, we were also baptized into Christ’s resurrection through the glory of God to live a new life.
These ideas are worth pondering and praying about.  I do not wish to be a slave to sin, and I find great frustration when I make choices (or even those times when no thinking seems to be involved) and do or think things that are not of God.  When will I (we) get ourselves in control?  History is full of humans attempting to control, at times with some pretty bad outcomes!
I  love the conversation in The Book of Common Prayer in the service of Holy Baptism between the Celebrant and the People; ”There is one Body and one Spirit; There is one hope in God’s call to us; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; One God and Father of all.”   I love the reaffirmation when we all speak and renew our own baptismal covenant and state what we believe and vow our work, “I will, with God’s help.”  Boy, do I really need God’s help in so many things!  
Romans 6:10-11  “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”   Ok, here we have support to our new being in Christ with our baptismal vows and our reaffirmation to God each time we pray and reach out to our God.   Why do we still have such challenges as followers, imitators of Jesus Christ?  Where does my desire to follow God’s path and the actual path of my feet really take me?    The title of this is Freedom of Choice.  
I choose with God’s help, to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
I choose with God’s help, to persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever I fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
I choose with God’s help, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ!
I choose with God’s help, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.
I choose with God’s help, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
All things are possible with God.  Thanks be to God!
Author: Becky Snell