Freedom in Christ
By Rev. David Wilson Rogers | June 20, 2015
In the United States freedom is a highly cherished and deeply revered American value. Founded on the premise that citizens of our land are to be free from governmental tyranny, freedom stands as one of the most essential American qualities. For all of our joy of freedom and patriotic celebrations professing its divine origins, we Americans often completely understand what freedom means in a Christian context.
The problem with freedom is that it is frequently expressed in terms of absolute self-centeredness. Because I am free, I can do what I want. Because I am free I can live where I choose, worship as I see fit, spend money as I believe is appropriate, and pretty much pursue my passions my way as I desire to fulfill them. We cherish the freedom to become anything or anyone we want, we stand firm in the freedom to do as we choose and, in many cases, will argue vehemently to deny anyone the opportunity to encroach upon our freedom.
Paul writes in the 5th chapter of Galatians that we are set free in Christ, and called to stand firm that we do not become shackled to the chains of unholy slavery. Yet he contrasts that freedom to its unholy expression through the forest adherence to religious ritual and custom. The challenge for us may not involve issues of Jewish circumcision, but we still tend to fall along the lines of legalistic definition both in our religious and personal lives in Christ.
Ephesians 2:8 reminds us that our salvation was never accomplished by anything you or I could ever do, but is a free gift of God. Having been set free by a Christ’s redemptive sacrifice on the cross, the message of Scripture is simply that everything we do in the name of freedom which results in creating a culture of regulation is a misunderstanding of God’s gift of freedom.
Ironically, when advocating for our American and God-given freedom as many so passionately do, we often find ourselves aligning along entrenched battle lines of fierce ideological protectionism. Not only is my freedom sacred, it is so vital that it must be defended at all costs. Fueled by the fire of faith—albeit a faith misguided—many Christians today are so fervently devoted to defending freedom in the name of Christ that we actually fail to uphold the fullness of God’s ministry in Christ Jesus.
The words of Jesus Christ in Luke 9:23–25 are very critical. Jesus tells the disciples that anyone who would be a disciple must deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ. He goes on to say that there is no value in fiercely defending one’s life if, in Christ, there is little to be gained. Life in Christ, Jesus says is found not in defending our freedoms, but in surrendering our lives. It is the ultimate act of love that Jesus modeled and that has redeemed us.
That is not to say that standing for what is important is a waste of time or that freedom is a bad thing. Both of these statements are categorically false. Christ calls us to stand firm in our faith and would not have given the gift of freedom only to have it again given away that the people of God may fall into disarray. What is vital is that our freedom, born in the love of Christ and poured out in Christ’s blood on the cross that we might live in freedom, must be a freedom lived in love.
Freedom in Christ is not so much the freedom to do whatever I want, pursue whatever pleases me, or somehow find a way to make the world come out my way. Freedom in Christ is the freedom to live, love, and serve as ambassadors of Jesus Christ.
It truly is an awesome responsibility. Christ gave us freedom that we may use it to make the world a better place for all, rather than just those we hold dear.