freedom in the word
“Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” —Luke 11:28
Many believe happiness, or blessedness, consists in being free, in not being constrained and restrained. Many regard the Old Testament as a “disciplinarian,” a “monitor” (Gal 3:24, RNAB), something that constrains us from being “free” (Gal 3:22). They see the Bible as a set of rules that keeps us “locked in” rather than being free (Gal 3:23).
Do you feel God’s Word aims to prevent your happiness? Jesus, the Word of God (Jn 1:1), is not a disciplinarian, monitor, or restrainer. He knows us by name (Jn 10:3). The Word is not an impersonal guardian keeping us in jail, preventing us from escaping to freedom. Rather, Jesus, the Word, the Good Shepherd, protects us from the dangers outside the sheepfold, keeping them from harming us. Our parents restrained us from playing in traffic, touching hot stoves, drowning in the bathtub, etc. Likewise, God’s Word keeps us safe, blessed, happy in the sheepfold, under the protection of the Good Shepherd.
As a loving parent, God the Father has given us His Word, both the written page and His Son Jesus, the Divine Logos. God’s Word gives us safe boundaries; thus, we are happy if we observe it (Lk 11:28). If we do not hear the Word nor observe it, we aren’t free; rather, we are unprotected. We are on our own, unaware that our “opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt 5:8).
Life in the Word is true freedom, true blessing, true happiness. Hear the Word. Observe it. Live it. Be set free (Jn 8:31-32, 36).
Prayer: Father, every day of the rest of my life, I will read Your Word and make it my home (Jn 8:31).
Promise: “Each one of you is a [child] of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” —Gal 3:26
Praise: “Sing to Him, sing His praise, proclaim all His wondrous deeds. Glory in His holy name” (Ps 105:2-3).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period October 1, 2026, through November 30, 2026, by Presentation Ministries. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 1, 2026"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.