Read Romans 6:6

I remember one hot and humid Houston afternoon back in grade school when our teacher gave everyone permission to go barefoot after lunch. We got to pull off our socks, stick 'em in our sneakers, and wiggle our toes all we wanted to. During the afternoon recess that extra freedom added great speed to our softball game on the playground....

Isn't it strange then, now that you and I are grown and have become Christians, how reluctant we are to give ourselves permission to do...to think...to say...to buy and enjoy...or to be different and not worry about who may say what?

Even though our God has graciously granted us permission to be free, to have liberty...and to enjoy so much of this life, many in His family seldom give themselves permission.

Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001). Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.