Can We Have Our Faith and Leave It, Too? Deut. 28:1-2, John 14:15-21, Heb. 11:13-16 7/1/2026 5:00

Was Bob Dylan a Prophet? Deuteronomy 28:1-2, John 14:15-21, Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 11:13-16 Bob Dylan asserts in his gospel-rock song “Gotta Serve Somebody” that regardless of wealth, status, or power, everyone ultimately serves a master; whether it is the Devil or the Lord. Therefore, we experience freedom to the degree that the master whom we choose to serve grants it. If we obey the law, we theoretically have constitutional freedom, but not the freedom to follow our consciences. If we obey our consciences, we have freedom from a sense of moral guilt, but not the freedom to gratify our deepest desires. If we obey our deepest desires, we have the freedom of an animal, but not the freedom to be fully human. There is an old prayer that says God is the Master “in whose service is perfect freedom." The paradox of the phrase is not as opaque as it seems. Think of it like this: If we obey Love, we have the freedom to be the best we have it in us to be. The only freedom that Love denies us is the freedom to ultimately destroy ourselves. KEY QUESTIONS: Why is the word “if” arguably the biggest word in the Bible? What is the difference between a conditional and unconditional covenant? How is love the motive for obedience?