Freedom in Christ

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

“Freedom in Christ”

What is freedom?  The Oxford dictionary gives one definition as, “Absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.”  This time of the year, we think about the 4th of July and what it stands for.  Our infant nation declared it was breaking away from Great Britain’s rule, because of the domination and requirements being placed in our fledgling country from a king thousands of miles from here.  We saw the king as the embodiment of “foreign domination or despotic government.”  I think things have worked out pretty well since our Declaration of Independence.

Another freedom moment occurred in ancient Egypt.  The Hebrew people had been in slavery to the Egyptian rulers for over 400 years.  Oxford gives another definition: “The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.”  This was so very true for the Hebrew people as they began their walk toward the Promised Land.  It was a state of mind they were not used to.  It only took three days for them to begin grumbling to Moses that they had it better back in Egypt!  What a twisted perspective.

The last definition found in the Oxford dictionary should hold a special place for us.  It states, “The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.”  Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”  The words of this verse tend to confuse me when it says “for freedom.”  What does that mean “for?”  To understand, we have to think of the opposite of freedom which is bondage.  This can be anything that would hold us down, keep us from doing what we know we should, or as the following words said, “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Please understand, this is not referring to the dark part of our nation’s history when owning other human beings was acceptable.  What I am referring to is anything that would control us instead of us controlling it.

We struggle daily with the temptations of this world through the radio, TV, or just other people.  We can only be truly free of the influence of these temptations by one person, Jesus.  Sin no longer has dominion over us.  Sin can no longer keep us from a relationship with God the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus gave His life so we can be free from the penalty of sin.  John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Looking for true freedom?  Go straight to the source of everlasting freedom, that is to Jesus!