Free by Faith

I read a quote attributed to Howard Hendricks today: “You are free to make choices. You are not free to escape the consequences.”  Having been born and raised in the United States, the "land of the free and home of the brave," I enjoyed the benefits of many freedoms afforded by God's grace.  The Bill of Rights is a document which outlines the freedoms and rights of Americans, and it is interesting how these words can be interchanged.  The existence of the Bill of Rights suggests the freedoms of Americans are upheld by their submission to the Constitution and governance of the land under God.  Remove God from the equation and all provisions and rights can be easily corrupted and destructive to self and others.

In Webster's 1828 Dictionary, the author defines "freedom" as:  "a state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude or confinement."  Webster goes into far greater detail with the word liberty which he breaks down into various sections, and the definition of civil liberty was interesting in the view of the need for restraint:  "Civil liberty is the liberty of men in a state of society, or natural liberty so far only abridged and restrained, as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation. A restraint of natural liberty not necessary or expedient for the public, is tyranny or oppression. civil liberty is an exemption from the arbitrary will of others, which exemption is secured by established laws, which restrain every man from injuring or controlling another. Hence the restraints of law are essential to civil liberty.  The liberty of one depends not so much on the removal of all restraint from him, as on the due restraint upon the liberty of others."

There is no one so free as the one who recognises God's authority and willingly submits to Him in faith and obedience.  The person who says what they want without restraint and justifies their words because they have "freedom of speech" can be bound by bitterness, resentment and pride.  The self-confident man who is free to do as he pleases without faith in Christ remains in spiritual bondage.  Jesus shocked His hearers when He spoke of freedom in John 8:31-36:  "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ³³ They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" ³⁴ Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Under Roman rule, there was a division between slave and free.  The Jews to whom Jesus spoke were free men and did not identify as slaves or being in bondage to anyone.  Jesus, who knows the hearts and minds of men, perceived the sins which enslaved each one.  In coming to earth and revealing Himself to be the Son of God and the Truth, Jesus gives those who believe in Him the confidence of being free from bondage to sin.  A slave under the Law of Moses served in bondage for a set season, and after serving their term it was possible they might accrue debts and be enslaved again.  Jesus provided atonement for sins once and for all on Calvary, and those made free by the Son would be free indeed.  The freedom from sin promised by God can be joyfully experienced even by prisoners with irons on their wrists and their feet in the stocks.

The one made free by faith in Jesus is forever free having submitted self to His rule as KING and High Priest.  Jesus said in Revelation 1:18, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."  All men are born in bondage to sin and are heading for eternal death, and Jesus is the One who can set us free and provide the abundant life marked by freedom found in surrender to God.  It is in choosing to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ  believers are granted freedom to enter the kingdom of God and serve Him.  Faith in Christ means freedom from fear, worry and youthful lusts; it is freedom to know and do what pleases God.  By grace we are given the right to be children of God, a privilege we cannot deserve or earn.  Let us rejoice in our Saviour and the freedom to experience the abundant and eternal life He provides free from sin.