Anyone who has seen the Mel Gibson film, Braveheart, will remember the final word of the movie. The Scottish hero, William Wallace, is being executed by the English but as he dies he channels all the pain of his torture into an impassioned yell: "F R E E D O M !!!" Of course the whole movie is about the Scots seeking freedom from the overbearing English intruders, whose rule and authority they rejected. Recently I've been reading biographies of individuals from the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars. We fought for our own freedom from England in the first and to free the slaves in the second war. America and freedom are almost synonymous. I think every child in our country grows up with the notion that freedom is a noble and great quality.
As Christians we know that God actually has made all men free. Regardless of the form of government or control over our outer life, the Lord has given every man and woman the freedom to decide what will govern our inner person. Of itself, freedom is only a means to an end. When the survivors of concentration camps were liberated at the end of World War II I'm sure their freedom was far more than that...but after months and years even they knew that the absence of confinement didn't represent fulfillment. Rather it meant opportunity.
So what is real freedom?
Luke 4:18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Jesus has brought us freedom from the captivity of sin that we might approach God confidently, serve others instead of ourselves, and find a permanent place in the family of God...now that's freedom worth shouting about !!
blessings,
Rob Smith
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