“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21)
Words are easily manipulated. “Say what you mean and mean what you say” becomes lost in a sea of ever-changing whims and desires. In the law we call a 500 page document, a brief…a postponement of a hearing, a continuance…a list of demands, a plea…and elevating a person’s choice over the life of an unborn child, justice.
Love, hate, good, bad, right, wrong…the meaning of such words often depends on who is using them. So to be truly understood, we must be exceptionally clear. Have you ever looked up the word freedom? It’s interesting the different ways this word is used. One dictionary has 17 definitions and many references to similar words, usually having to do with being rid of something or being able to do or not do something.
I want freedom from…people telling me what to do, debt, government regulation, prejudice, taxes.
I want freedom to…make my own decisions, live as I want, go where I want, do as I want.
I want to be free of…stress, responsibility, sickness, disability, grief, worry.
I want to be free to…control my own life.
Ah, for most that’s what it really comes down to, isn’t it? Whether within us or in relation to others, whether a choice, exemption, ability, or state of mind…freedom is being able to control one’s own destiny. And yet, no such freedom exists. There are always rules and regulations, obligations and expectations, requirements and demands. No one is completely free to do as he chooses.
So we create lesser freedoms. Some have personal importance while others are nationally significant, depending very much on what one personally believes to be important and significant. But each of these freedoms are fragile. They must always be recognized, honored, protected, and defended, or they are lost. Why? Because such freedoms come from man, whose whims and desires are ever-changing.
Freedom…true freedom…comes only from one with the authority to give it and the power to sustain it.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where He had been raised, and on the Sabbath day entered the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has chosen and anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set free and send forth those who are oppressed, downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor when He will save His people.
Then Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue was closely watching Him, then He began by saying to them, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. (See Luke 4:16-21)
True freedom does not come from man. It is not fragile, does not change, and cannot be taken away. It comes from the One who alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and is given to all who follow Him. Freedom of a new life, free of who we once were in order to become who He wants us to be. This is the only true freedom, and it is to this freedom we have been called. Take care and be God’s,
Chuck Graham