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Free At Last, Free At Last
There's a saying I've heard my whole life in history classes, at July 4 celebrations, during patriotic church services, and in books. The saying goes like this: "freedom isn't free." There are two things that strike me in this saying.What does it mean to be free? How does a life which is free differ from a life which is
enslaved?
The first is an inherent understanding of freedom. However, freedom, in my opinion, is tough to nail down. The obvious answer would seem to be: freedom is the ability to do whatever you want. However, I think this is a very surface level definition of freedom. I say this because there are millions of people who can do whatever they want all over the world, but if we were to take a closer look many of these people don't seem free to enjoy those things their freedoms have allowed them. Shouldn't freedom ensure enjoyment?
If we are free to do and enjoy whatever we want, why are we so unsatisfied?
I don't believe we truly understand freedom. We see it at it's very surface, and see that it is good. However, many of us have not truly tasted freedom. I say this because of what Jesus says:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32
But what "truth" is Jesus talking about? He enlightens us:
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
John 8:34-36
It is the truth that we are enslaved, whether we would like to admit it or not, and the only escape route is the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The difference between a free person and an enslaved person is their admittance of this and trust in Jesus. No Jesus, no freedom.
This week we spoke of a connection w/ God as the source of truth and righteousness. This means, if we want to know the truth and live rightly we must be connected w/ God. The same principle applies w/ our freedom. If we want to be free, if we want to truly be satisfied w/ and enjoy our life, we must be connected w/ the truth of Jesus' redemptive work.
Have you accepted this truth? Why or why not?
At the beginning I cited a quote we all know: "freedom isn't free" and I gave you the first thing that stood out to me. Here is the second: freedom always cost something, and this case is no different. Our freedom cost God dearly, and though it seems as if it costs us nothing, it actually costs us everything. Paul says this:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this;
that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
2 Corinthians 5:14
What is the point of all of this? Our freedom rests in Jesus' saving work. What is the cost? Everything.
