True Freedom
By Susan Klein
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Prompted by our recent presidential election, I found myself contemplating some of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Unlike many other countries, we have the freedom to voice our opinions about our candidates and to vote for whom we feel is best for the position. According to our Constitution, some of the freedoms we have are the freedom to bear arms, freedom of speech, and freedom to worship in the manner we choose. These, however, are not universal freedoms.By Susan Klein
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
In looking at the meaning of the word freedom, Merriam-Webster defines it as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. Wikipedia says that political freedom is freedom in which members of a free society would have full dominion over their public and private lives. In other words, I can do as I please, when I please, and how I please. Hmmm...are we really free? Does anyone really have full say over every aspect of his or her life? Are we not living under ever-changing rules, and under the authority of our government, employers, and even our local church bodies? So what, then, is true freedom?
Scripture tells us that there is one freedom that everyone can enjoy: the freedom from bondage to sin. God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to eat from any tree in the Garden except one, but they made a bad choice. And because of their decision, they introduced sin into the world. As descendants of Adam and Eve, we have all been born into that sin. No one is without it and we are all in bondage to it. But, Galatians 5:1 says; it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. When we accept His sacrificial gift to us, we are immediately set free! We are no longer in bondage, but free to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are free to make choices, free to love others, free to live a new life that we could not live as slaves to sin. This spiritual freedom does not change with the times, or with different rulers or lawmakers. This is a freedom offered by God to all men, and it is one that cannot be taken from us. It is ours to enjoy!
How comforting to know that in a world where there is no universal definition of freedom, we can all be set free in Christ Jesus!
GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas of your life do you feel you may still be enslaved, rather than experiencing total freedom?
2. Make a list of these items and prayerfully give them over to God. Let Him set you free from their hold on you…whatever it takes, whatever He asks you to do in cooperation.
FURTHER READING:
John 8:31-36; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:12
Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.
