We can’t underestimate the importance of freedom in our lives. Freedom is one of the top reasons that Jesus came to earth. “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free” (Galatians 5:1).
But what, exactly, does freedom mean?
The Options
Freedom could mean the ability to do what we want. This certainly would be freedom. But God is not calling us to do whatever we want. We can’t escape His moral law and somehow think that there won’t be consequences. If we lie, or steal, or murder, or lust there will be consequences. Freedom isn’t this.
Some define freedom as the ability to do as we ought. Again this is an ok definition — we now are free so we can do the things that we were created to do. But it still lacks, because we are gold mixed with impurities. Yes, we have the power to do as we ought, but we don’t ALWAYS do right because sin is still residing in us.
Other churches peg freedom as an emotional expression during the music portion of a worship service. Freedom in this definition is raising hands, or waving a flag, or singing loud. While I applaud anyone who can be uninhibited when the congregation is singing, this really is a silly definition of freedom — not very compelling.
True Freedom
So what does freedom mean? Freedom is no longer having to obey fear. Fear is no longer our master. We are uninhibited to be bold, to step out in faith, to risk. Irreligion produces fear because the weight of guilt and having to trust in yourself is too much for our fragile souls. Religion produces fear because we are afraid that we haven’t done everything right, that the slightest error may restrain the hand of God’s blessing.
But Christ has set us free from fear. Tomorrow I will look at all the ways that fear controls our life, and how Jesus releases these chains.
