Freedom (Gal 5:1)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery - Gal 5:1

Freedom.

Everybody wants it.

But most people misunderstand what it is.

The surface level definition of freedom is "the ability to do whatever I want."

But many people who have this type of freedom end up with the greatest bondage of all.

In the name of "freedom," countless people lose agency over their lives through alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, pornography, and the list goes on.

Thus, true freedom cannot simply be the ability to do whatever our compulsory pleasure seeking selves want at any given moment. This type of freedom is actually indistinguishable from slavery.

If what Christians believe about God is true - namely that He is a Good Father, that He loves us with an everlasting love, that He is all wise and knows us better than we know ourselves - then His will for our lives is better than any plan we could hope to come up with ourselves.

It follows then, that true freedom is having the ability to live according to God's will.

To be free is to choose God's will.

And to choose God's will is to be free.

These things are one and the same.

God's will is made manifest in Jesus Christ.

He has come as the Liberator of mankind.

To be free from Christ is to be a slave to the world.

To be a slave to Christ is to be free from the world.

His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In order to be His disciple you must first give Him your entire life. But He only requires this of you in order to exchange your life for His.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,

but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Matt 16:25