Freedom

The American ideal of freedom conveys the idea of lack of restraint. When you are free, you are able to do whatever you desire. There are no limitations. You can achieve, accomplish, be successful, possess, and travel as you so wish. The American dream is often typified in the purchase of a home. The ownership of one's own demonstrates the status of success that anyone can attain. With increased resources, knowledge, and skill, we are free.

At one level, most would concur with the positive nature of this freedom. Some would read Scripture and extrapolate that the freedom we receive in Christ liberates the believer to escape limitations. "Whom the Son has set free, he is free indeed." More than one "Christian" has felt free to follow their personal preferences in the name of freedom and followed the path of what is sometimes known as libertarianism (not the political party), giving a license to do anything, including sin.

The biblical truth of freedom in Christ is not a freedom to do as one wishes, but a freedom from sin, the power of death, and the devil. We celebrate our political freedom on July 4th, made possible through the sacrifice of those who fought and died for the rights we have as Americans. Jesus purchased our salvation through his own death on the tree providing freedom for us. Not the freedom of self-indulgence and personal choice, but the spiritual freedom that liberates the heart to fully be all God has created us to be.

These thoughts may not be new, but they are profound.