Freedom (Part 1)
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
It seems not a day passes when the topic of freedom isn’t front page news. Attacks on freedom include censorship of speech (think unacceptable opinions), physical persecution (think unjust imprisonment and torture), and government mandated rules of conduct (think pandemic).
We have come to expect autocratic regimes to usurp individual and group freedoms. However, while not currently experiencing the same measure of attacks on our freedom, we in the economically advanced West shouldn’t be smug or complacent. Indeed, today’s examples - the “canceling” or “doxxing” of those expressing unacceptable opinions, pressures to conform to the rules of politically correct speech, and the abrogation of constitutional rights - have sometimes ushered in totalitarianism.
What did Jesus mean when he said that those he sets free will be “free indeed”?
Given the foregoing, what did Jesus mean when he said that those he sets free will be “free indeed”? After all, his followers have been persecuted from the days of the early church right up to the present. As it happens, “free indeed” relates to our identity as believers rather than freedom from persecution. Today, we’ll briefly explore some scriptural aspects of the freedom enjoyed by believers (emphases added).
Freedom from the state of alienation from God
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12)
Our failures and foibles notwithstanding, we are completely accepted by God. Even when the stakeholders in our businesses don’t accept something we say or do, we can rest secure in the certainty that God’s acceptance of us is not subject to a satisfactory performance review!
Freedom from the devil’s control
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God,”
(Romans 6:22 (a))
The devil was decisively defeated when Jesus died on the cross in our place and rose from the dead. Thus we are no longer under his authority. The old (carnal) man is dead, thereby setting us free to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Freedom from the root causes of fear
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4(a))
Fear is the all-too-common response to uncertainty. However, we have been set free from two of the most common root causes of fear, death and lack of provision. This reality liberates us to answer Jesus’ call to follow him in the marketplace unhindered by these fears.
Freedom from condemnation
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
(Romans 8:1–2)
Failures are commonplace when leading others. These include, but aren’t limited to, missing goals to which we have committed, errors of judgment regarding the people we lead, and financial loss. In these circumstances, it is easy to engage in self-condemnation. While we should use our failures to inform necessary changes, we have been freed from condemnation.
Regularly reminding ourselves concerning what we have been set free from helps us better answer Jesus’ call to glorify him in the marketplace. Next week, we’ll explore the principal purpose of our freedom in Christ, which, in short, is to glorify God.
Photo by Jason Hogan on Unsplash
