What does it mean to be free? There are many ways one can define freedom. Some may say that freedom is the absence of all rules. Others may say that freedom is a state of mind rather than a tangible reality. Freedom can also be contradictory. Andrew Willow said, “Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you.” If freedom was truly absolute, one may say that I am free to be with you whether you like it or not and I am also free to be rid of you, if I so choose. Freedom may not be the absence of laws. Chief Joseph said, “Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think, and act for myself – and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.” As the United States of America declared its independence, the nation made a bold move to free itself from the tyranny of Great Britain. Much is said about freedom in America. The United States of America is the envy of the world. No other nation can match this great experiment of freedom we call America.
Though we may not be able to honestly say that America is a ‘Christian’ nation, we do know that America was founded on Christian principles. It is also known that America was founded on prayer. It was in acknowledging that God indeed is involved in the affairs of men that led our forefathers to their knees, seeking direction from God.
As one studies American history there are several key words that are often used. Words such as: Liberty, Justice, Rights, and Freedom. These terms did not just come to the mind of our forefathers by happenstance. These terms are Biblical terms. They are foundational to all that God has granted us by His sovereignty. Discovering true freedom compels us to examine each of these terms from a Biblical perspective.
Liberty. Robert Green Ingersoll said, “What light is to the eyes – what air is to the lungs – what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.” John Adams said, “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” Thomas Jefferson said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” To our founding fathers, ‘liberty’ was the idea that man is free to make his own choices, to think for himself. Liberty is freedom from oppression and the power to act as one pleases.
Jesus came to give liberty to the captives. Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”[1] Jesus came to give us the opportunity to be set free from the bondage of sin. Liberty is a gift given to us by God. It is the gift of free will. Jesus came to give us the liberty to choose whether or not we would believe in Him. God did not create us as robots. He does not just simply program us to do whatever He demands. He has given us liberty. He has given us a freewill. Why such a gift? Would it not have been easier if we were just programmed to love Him and serve Him? Would that not have made things much easier? Perhaps, but it would not be love. Real love is not something that is forced. Real love is found in the choice to love. Liberty is the gift of freewill, given to us by God, by which we choose to believe in Him.
Justice. Justice is “the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in dealing with individuals and society. In the biblical context, justice is an essential attribute of God, and believers are called to pursue justice in their interactions and societal engagement.” Our nation was founded on the idea of fairness. Every person is viewed as equal and should be treated fairly. This is why we have the understanding that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Ultimately, God is the one who executes justice. Romans 12:9 says, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”[2] Though sometimes necessary for the sake of truth, I am thankful that I do not have to defend myself. I do not need to seek vengeance on others. I have an advocate, and His name is Jesus. He is my defender. He will always do what is just. As we rely on the Lord for justice, we should also act justly toward one another. James 2:1-9 says, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”[3] Just as God shows no partiality and He is just in all He does, so we are to treat each other justly. We should not elevate one person over another. We should love one another the same. Everyone deserves a fair deal. Everyone deserves a chance. In God’s great love for us, we are given justice. We are dealt with impartially. God is a just God and the justice we believe in and hold to in America is understood as a gift from God.
Rights. The Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” A ‘right’ is a moral or legal entitlement that a person or group has. Our founding fathers believed that every human being has the right to live free and to pursue happiness. The ‘rights’ that we have as Americans are available to us as citizens of this great land. When it comes to salvation, we have the ‘right’ or ‘entitlement’ to be called sons of God. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”[4] Those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior have every right afforded to the Son of God. We are joint-heirs with Christ. We are children of God. As a child of God we have the ‘right’ to be and to enjoy all that a child of God is and enjoys. No one can take away our name as a child of God. No one can remove us from His household. We are His. He has given us the ‘right.’
Freedom. Every 4th of July we celebrate America’s birthday. We celebrate our freedom. However, true freedom is not found in a document written 250 years ago. True freedom is found in a man who died and rose again over 2,000 years ago. Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”[5] As a believer in Jesus, I am free from condemnation. The moment that I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was set free from the penalty of sin. I do not have to go to hell. I do have to spend an eternity separated from God, I am free! I am also free from the power of sin. Sin has no dominion over me. I do not have to sin. I am free! One day, when Christ returns or calls me home, I will be forever free from the presence of sin. No more sin nature to contend with. I will be made to be just like Jesus. I am free!
So what does it mean to be free? It is to live with the liberty, justice, rights, and freedom given to me by God. To be free is to know Jesus. Do you know Him?
[1] The New King James Version (Is 61:1). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] The New King James Version (Ro 12:19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[3] The New King James Version (Jas 2:1–9). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Jn 1:12). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The New King James Version (Ro 8:1–2). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 