What is “freedom?”
We love to throw the word around in political, social and patriotic circles, but what does it actually mean in its purest, most unadulterated form?
Well, to begin, it’s the ability to make choices without “absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint.” It’s also the afforded chance to live without being controlled by someone — or something.
True freedom comes through Christ.
— Billy Hallowell (@BillyHallowell) July 4, 2017
But freedom goes far beyond that. In essence, it’s the opportunity to wake up each day and make decisions about one’s own destiny. From the small choices to the large, freedom offers us all the chance to pave our own, individual ways.
It’s clear that freedom — at least in America — is most typically associated with rights. The right to pursue happiness, the right to enjoy liberty. And these ideals are immeasurably important, as they provide the ability to live our lives relatively unhampered. In America we can:
– Voice our political perspectives
– Worship God in the way we see fit
– Speak our minds
– Seek to fulfill our dreams, whatever they might be
The list goes on…and on. I’m eternally grateful for these freedoms, among many others, and I admittedly too often forget to thank God for allowing me to live in a nation that so profoundly affords me the opportunity to make choices, both big and small. It’s so easy, though, to take it all for granted.
There are too many places in the world where these rights don’t exist — where people cannot express their thoughts and perspectives and, when they do, are harassed, beaten and even killed for doing so. That is obviously tragic and horrific.
I praise God for America and the blessings given to us on a daily basis — rights too many of us forget to be thankful for. Our normal ability to decide for ourselves is an unattainable fairy tale for so many across the globe.
But back to that original question about the nature of freedom. We’ve talked about rights, but what is “true freedom?” The Bible speaks deeply and profoundly on this topic, offering us essential insight that can help propel us forward and secure our destinies.
2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” And John 8:36 reads, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” It doesn’t end there, though. The Scriptures are filled with explanations of what freedom really means.
Galatians 5:1 adds, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
It’s clear that God created us for freedom, but that freedom can only be attained in its truest and purest form through Jesus. That might seem confusing; that might appear odd to someone outside the Christian faith. But it’s truth. Freedom isn’t free. We were bought at a price.
And as we come off of celebrating Independence Day today and reflect on our nation’s history and on the liberty we all enjoy, we must also remember that true freedom runs much deeper; it can be attained not by tradition or ritual, but by simple belief: an understanding that Jesus, who was sinless, is God’s son who came to Earth, died for our sins and offered redemption.
Why not accept this free gift and let it transform you? So many of us are hurting, wondering what life really means, looking for something deeper. You’ll find that meaning — that purpose — in Christ.
Think deeper. Pray harder. Be thankful. Find out what it means to accept Jesus here.