Freedom: the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited.
Contemplating my topic for this month’s blog, I remembered a conversation with someone a while ago who told me that Christianity wasn’t for him because it took away his freedom to live life on his own terms; that faith was a ‘crutch’ for people. He seemed to have the misconception that God’s commandments are rigid rules set to catch us out, so the idea of freedom, as set out in the definition above from the online Cambridge Dictionary, was appealing to him.
For me, the frightening thing about this description of freedom is that without any boundaries or limitations, it sounds more like anarchy. Imagine if there were no consequences to anti-social behaviour or crime, if people could do or say whatever they please without repercussions? It sounds scary and deeply unsettling to me.
How terrifying for a child to live with parents who never exercise healthy boundaries. We need discipline, and some authority to give us stability to thrive and we also need to recognise our personal responsibility to maintain our own necessary boundaries.
Jesus talks about freedom in John 8:31-32:
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Commentaries on this passage stress the importance of the verb ‘abide’; that it means to be completely at home, immersed in His word. At the beginning of the Gospel of John, we are shown how Jesus is the Word, so the connection here illustrates that we are to immerse ourselves in Jesus and then we shall know the truth that will set us free. Later in the same gospel, Jesus tells us: I am the way, the truth, and the life. So, we are told that Jesus is both the Word and the Truth.
The emphasis to become intimately connected with Jesus is clear and is partly the reason for someone to believe this takes away freedom. The irony is, of course, that accepting a calling to follow Christ and His commands liberates us to live from a place of love, mercy, and justice. As we take on the yoke of Jesus, the weight of the world’s criticism and unrealistic demands lift from our shoulders, because we now live within the parameters of His unconditional love and sacrifice. I have found this knowledge creates a desire in me to walk in His will of my own volition, without the handicap of guilt when I stumble and fall.
This freedom is our gift from God; safe loving boundaries that offer us security and stability in an uncertain world.
Thank you Sally. This post brought to mind something from another time. I’m 57 now so this was a long time ago … but when I was 21 I gave my heart to Jesus. I was, like many, a confused young person trying to navigate the “sexual freedom” culture of the time, which of course was less “freedom” than “expectation”. (Which doesn’t seem to have changed, in fact has possibly become even more toxic). Once I joined my new Christian family, I felt the liberation of no longer having that expectation and being empowered to say “no”. And I was such a happier person because of it. For this reason I’m so thankful to our Christian authors who write romances for young people showcasing another way to live which is freeing and empowering and honouring.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Suzie. It was a confusing time wasn’t it? I remember it too. I was recently listening to a Tim Keller sermon on sexuality and how the promiscuity of sexual freedom isn’t freedom at all. Like you I’m grateful for the healthy boundaries Christianity offers in all areas of living. Thanks for reading and responding Suzie.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Suzie. It was a confusing time wasn’t it? I remember it too. I was recently listening to a Tim Keller sermon on sexuality and how the promiscuity of sexual freedom isn’t freedom at all. Like you I’m grateful for the healthy boundaries Christianity offers in all areas of living. Thanks for reading and responding Suzie.