Many a child has watched the clock count down to the last school bell on the last day of school before summer.
Then they burst through the school doors with a William Wallace burst of "Freeeedom!!!"
No more alarm clocks, homework, lunch lines, math. Only three glorious months of doing what they want. Sleeping in. Watching cartoons. Playing games. Going swimming. Seeing friends.
Yet they are not entirely free to do what they want, are they? They are free from one kind of restraint. But they still have to eat the green stuff at dinner, mind their manners, entertain little brother while mom is busy, take out the trash, etc., etc., etc.
Teenagers chomping at the bit to become adults and "do whatever they want" find the same thing. They do get one kind of freedom, but also a greater burden of responsibility.
Proponents of "free love" in the 60s found that their actions weren't really free. Disease, unexpected pregnancy, and no long term security were not what they bargained for in their freedom.
There's a sense in which no one experiences entire freedom to do whatever they want.
The Bible says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do" (Galatians 5:16-17).
There doesn't seem to be any middle ground. We're either yielding to the flesh or the Spirit. Sure, we have to yield to parents, employers, family, the police, etc. But all of those are within the context of the flesh or Spirit. Sometimes we yield to others in an effort to keep life running smoothly---ultimately a desire to please ourselves.
Some who most desire the freedom to do what they want are the most enslaved to their own passions.
What does it mean, then, that "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom"? (2 Corinthians 3:17). Or "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed"? (John 8:36). Surely that doesn't mean the "do whatever I want" kind of freedom, does it?
No. The death of Jesus Christ freed us from:
- The law of Moses that people in the OT were under. "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39). The book of Galatians was written to people who had freedom in Christ yet thought they had to go back under this yoke. "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
- Sin and death. "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). We still have to battle sin, but its power over us has been broken. "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin" (Romans 6:5-6). By God's grace, we have the ability to fight it and win now. And we still have to face physical death (unless the Lord returns before that happens), but not the second death in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Even physical death has lost its sting, because death takes us to God (2 Corinthians 5:6-10).
- Condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
- Darkness. "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
We have also been freed to something.
- God our Father. "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Galatians 4:6).
- Sanctification eternal life: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life" (Romans 6:22).
- Light. "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12).
- Grace and Mercy. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
- Rest. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).
- Sufficiency: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
- Heaven. "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).
And so much more!
So what kind of freedom is this, exactly?
The Pulpit Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:17 sheds some light: "The liberty of confidence (ver. 4), and of frank speech (ver. 12), and of sonship (Galatians 4:6, 7), and of freedom from guilt (John 8:36); so that the Law itself, obeyed no longer in the mere letter but also in the spirit, becomes a royal law of liberty, and not a yoke which gendereth to bondage (James 1:25; James 2:12) - a service, indeed, but one which is perfect freedom (Romans 5:1-21; 1 Peter 2:16)."
We're freed from trying to earn righteousness with God. When we believe on Jesus as Savior and Lord, He cleanses us and enables us to do everything God wants us to do. We serve Him as His children, out of love, by His grace.
And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Charles Wesley, from "And Can It Be"
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