Freedom has been Americans’ main theme and most important value. It is our national anthem. It seems that when a society gives people more freedom, they are considered to be more culturally advanced. Many have now come to believe that no one should be allowed to tell another what they can or cannot do. The idea of doing things for the mutual betterment of all has been buried under narcissism.
But exactly what is freedom? Should a child have freedom to kick and bite his teacher or an adult have freedom to abuse or bully others? Does a mother have a right to abort her baby while the baby or even the father has no rights? Does a common laborer have no recourse when he/she is forced to pay more money for health insurance because a group of politicians passed a misguided or poorly written law regarding health insurance? Do protesters have a right to express their feelings when causing mayhem in the streets breaking into stores and burning cars? Where does one’s freedom begin and end—or does it? Does such freedom really produce great relationships and create a trusting society?
Freedom is wonderful…and destructive. Jesus did say, if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36, NLT2). But is that the same type of freedom clamored for in our culture today? The biblical idea of submitting to following Christ to gain true freedom is a paradox. This becomes clear when compared to an alcoholic or addict in bondage to his/her addiction – the result of his/her passion for so called freedom. Most of us have friends or relatives who are in bondage to something that is slowly destroying them.
Most Christians understand and accept Jesus’ freedom is different—until it comes to how they manage their money, eating habits or insecurities as evidenced in their varied antisocial behaviors. Christ lived and died to set us free…to live a God-fearing life designed so we can enjoy His joy, His peace and His authentic freedom. But in order to enjoy those incredible, tangible delights, we must submit another freedom that we cherish.
Several years back the Holy Spirit called me out of my delusion by asking me to take a position I personally did NOT want to take. I literally experienced 24 hours of the most traumatic anxiety I had ever experienced. After reluctantly accepting it, it took me about a year and a half before I finally stopped my passive resistance to my step of obedience. I’m ashamed to say my fight wasn’t as much against the assignment as it was against what I deemed as my rights/freedom. God was patiently merciful while I wrestled my way through my tirade. When I finally calmed down, He allowed me to see what He would do through me. I finally embraced it, and today, I see the foolishness of my misguided desire for freedom.
Jesus was most miserable when He was fighting with His human desire to avoid the cross. He was so miserable His sweat was as great drops of blood when He was PRAYING! But when He finally surrendered and prayed “not my will but yours be done,” He displayed the most incredible courage to endure abuse and His cross. He then enjoyed the unbelievable joy of Easter morning and ultimately ascended into Heaven to be with His Father.
What mask have you been wearing to hide your desire for misguided freedom? Has God been calling you out while you fight as I did to try to justify your God-given right to have this freedom? But is the inner battle between your freedom and God’s calling worth it?