When we think of freedom, maybe we envision the last day of school as a child with our entire summer ahead of us, free to do as we wish, without the schedule of school. Perhaps we see ourselves running through a meadow without a care in the world. Maybe freedom is moving out of our parents home to live on our own, or it’s riding a motorcycle with the wind blowing through our hair. Some people equate freedom with being financially free. Having enough money to do and buy anything they want. Others feel freedom is living in a country where they are free to think, speak, and believe as they wish without government interference. It can be argued freedom is a state of mind. Even someone who is in jail or physically disabled can experience freedom since they have freedom of thought.

However one imagines freedom, it’s a concept of being unencumbered by any pressures, burdens or obstacles. I think we all want to feel free, able to what we please, think how we want and not be pressured or burdened by others. However, some of the very ideas of being free are actually just the opposite. With freedom, comes responsibility. We all are born with a “free will” to make choices and act as we feel fit. Nevertheless, acting any way we wish may not give us the results we wish for and we may be putting ourselves into bondage. Living in a free country is great, but still society places restrictions on us in the way of social norms. Social norms are the unwritten rules of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are considered acceptable in a particular social group or culture. Social norms provide us with an expected idea of how to behave, and function to provide order and predictability in society. Anything outside of these norms or “normal” viewed behavior, can cause us problems in the society in which we live. Freedom of thought is wonderful, however many of our thoughts put us into bondage especially when we worry, obsess, or remember unpleasant occasions or situations. Financial freedom can also be a burden. With more money and more possessions there is more responsibility to pay bills, mortgages, insurance, taxes and maintaining what we have. Often, freedom comes with a cost. In trying to keep a country free from being taken over, it cost’s lives. In consuming any drug or drinking as much alcohol as you wish, can make you sick or take a life. Driving as fast as you want, can result in injury or take a life. Eating as much as you want, of what you want, can make you sick or ultimately take your life. From the world view, when it comes to freedom, I think it can be argued that no one is ever completely free. You can want freedom, seek it, try to achieve it, but outside of momentary feelings, it can’t be acquired by our own ability to its full extent.

I believe, true freedom is spiritual, it is identifying and taking support from that which is permanent, that which always exists and that which is eternal. It is when we can recognize the truth of who we are, what we we’re created for, we will make the decisions that will set us free because we align our wants and desires to what our creator wants for us. It is then when we no longer have to try to fix our lives, thoughts, our country or the people in it to be free. Using our free will, we submit our lives to Christ and He’ll do the rest. We can let go of trying to obtain freedom in any form and in so doing we will be granted the peace and happiness that God gives. After all, freedom is a concept and how we perceive what freedom is, will determine if we feel free or not. Isn’t letting go and letting God the absolute answer to freedom? In the bible, Jesus said in John 8:31-32 “…If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The Jewish people answered in John 8:33, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say , ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered in John 8:34-36,”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 in deed.”

People who have found themselves in bondage or enslaved to sinful desires, hurtful actions, thoughts and behaviors can be set free by knowing Christ and His desire for them to have a fruit filled life. This life is not driven by selfish ambitions or sinful desires but rather it’s a life that is free to love others and be a part of God’s family. As Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 9–10: “though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all.” In Christ, we are free from focusing on ourselves, our wants and desires. Instead, we are free to serve others, bless others, love others. This also referenced in Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

You can stop the search for freedom and become free as servants of Christ.
2 Cor. 3:17 states “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This is where true freedom starts and it’s a freedom that never ends. Romans 6:29 says “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
I hope you use your free will and chose to live freely, as servants of Christ, loving and serving one another forever! This freedom is a free gift for all who believe and it’s a freedom that no one can take away.

~Teri Storm