Freedom

It is common among humans to desire and long for freedom.  America was built on the concept.  Interestingly, it is a significant theme in the Bible as well.  However, the Bible defines it somewhat differently.

For people in general, freedom seems to be defined essentially as self determination.  I do what I do because I want to, not because someone makes me do it.  Telling me I have to do something, or that I can’t do something, infringes on my freedom.

However, while the Bible often refers to freedom, the idea of “autonomy” (being self directed) is not the heart of this concept.  Instead of freedom meaning independence, the focus is what you can be set free “to” or “toward.”  

It is true that those who have a relationship with God through Jesus have freedom FROM sin.  However, the reason that Jesus came was not to bring freedom from sin, but relationship with the Father.  Payment for sin was necessary for that relationship.  Sin is what stands in our way of knowing God.  The point is that we were set free to be in relationship with God, not set free to follow our own way.

In fact, if we want to be free from sin and death, it will mean bondage to God.  This is exactly opposite of popular “spirituality” today.  People believe that they are spiritual fee agents.  However, The Bible makes it clear that this is absolutely and completely untrue.  Romans 6:20-23 says:

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Those who know God are set free, but they are set free to serve God. 

However, here’s the best news about this.  This service of God DOES NOT MEAN we are to try to help Him, to make Him happy, to add to who or what He is.  God does not need that from us, and we are incapable of it.  Acts 17 tells us that God “is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” 

What it DOES mean is that we are to be His children.  Not children like we think of today.  Children of His, like Jesus is His child.  Jesus does not merely live with His Father, He is part of His Father's life, plans, and intentions.  And, while we can’t do THAT on our own either, God makes it possible, by placing His Spirit inside those who know Him. 

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

While we must be a spiritual servant (slave) of something, knowing God means that our service of Him is not about being peasants trying to do His bidding.  We “serve” Him as sons and daughters of God.  And we do it in and through Him. 

While our humanness may want to be a spiritual independent free agent, we get to be so much more than that.  We are set free to be sons and daughters of God.  Our service is being a part of His work and His future.  Our freedom is not for us to be able to do whatever we want, because we will be forgiven anyway.  Our freedom is to open the door to walk in the presence of the Creator of all things, being a part of the greatest plan known to all creation, filled with His Spirit.  No greater freedom could be imagined.