Higher Freedom

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36 NIV

Freedom is worth celebrating.

This week, we celebrate Independence Day in the US, tracing back to July 4th of 1776 with the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. This was and is a monumental day in the history of our country, and the reason is clear: there is a high value on freedom. This value placed on freedom dates back significantly farther than the US though. For all of human history people have recognized the value of liberty, and I believe it’s because God values freedom.

What is freedom in God’s eyes?

People often equate freedom to individual liberty, or an attitude of, “I can do whatever I want.” This belief is often an obstacle for people placing their faith in Jesus, because they only see Christianity as a restriction on their freedom - that God wants to limit people’s enjoyment or liberty. So people remain trapped within the mindset of, “I can do whatever I want,” and while our option for choice allows that statement to be true, it contains a follow-up phrase that people forget: “I can do whatever I want, but not without consequences.” 

In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord charged the people of Jerusalem to declare freedom for any Hebrews who were in slavery in accordance with the covenant He made with the Israelites in Deuteronomy 15:12 after rescuing them from Egypt. But since the slave owners did not fulfill the covenant with God, He spoke to them again, drawing a firm line between freedom with God and ‘freedom’ apart from Him.

'“Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed Me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord —‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth. '

Jeremiah 34:17 NIV

Higher freedom deserves higher allegiance.

The Bible teaches that the highest degree of freedom is freedom from sin and death. This is a freedom that lasts forever, and it is the most significant kind of freedom that people can experience. Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus the Messiah to take on the cross to secure this highest degree of freedom, so that everyone who places their faith in Jesus will be truly free. Free to be near to God, not just free to do whatever they want.

'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.'

Galatians 5:1 NIV

'You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.'

Galatians 5:13 NIV

Freedom in Christ means freedom from sin and death. It means freedom from fear and despair. It is not a pass to do whatever we want. Christ’s freedom grants us the gift to be near to God and to experience His goodness. The Lord is our Shepherd, and the best place for us sheep to be is near to Him, not wandering wherever we want to go. Freedom in Christ gives us the chance to be near to God, and that is a higher degree of freedom than any other, and so Christ is owed our highest allegiance.