Follow God to be independent
Scripture reading: Galatians 5:1-12. Text: “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.” Galatians 5:13. The upcoming Independence Day definitely predetermines what the message is supposed to deal with: freedom! There are countries even today where people are killed and murdered to protect freedom or introduce it.
The first observation as we read our text carefully is that freedom is not a political idea. Every nation likes to call itself the champion of freedom. How does the first stanza of our national anthem end? “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” Are not we proud of the Statue of Liberty in New York?
Freedom, in its broadest sense, reaches far beyond the political implications. The greatest “liberator” ever born was Jesus Christ: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36.
Freedom can be misused! Do not you agree with me that most of the problems originate from the simple fact that somebody overstepped the boundaries of freedom?
There are conditions that have to be kept in order to enjoy freedom.
Apostle Paul had mentioned this one: “rather, serve one another in love.” See our text.
In what way are freedom, liberty and independence different?
We are neither philosophers nor political scientists to spell out the distinctions. No doubt, freedom, liberty and independence have many things in common: no restrictions, limitations, retaliation, and everybody can pursue his or her happiness without fear.
Yet, one person can be free or oppressed in several ways: politically, economically, emotionally, and within the family. One can lose his or her freedom suddenly or slowly. One can be imprisoned by his/her nightmares of the past.
We would agree, these three words – freedom, liberty and independence – basically mean the same, yet their personal implications may vary as we interpret and practice love, forgiveness and mercy according to our convictions.
The picture will become clear if we approach the issue from the opposite direction. In what way are obligation, restriction and bondage different?
Obligation is rather ethical: what I have to do to meet the expectations. It is a moral responsibility that we should fulfill in any capacity, either as citizens, or as Christians, or as members of our family or profession.
Restriction is to stay within the limitations imposed upon us, either by law or by customs and traditions, or by stronger people. It hurts us because we cannot do what we wish to or should do. Restriction may be only annoying or totally destroying.
Bondage usually includes more than just a few people and it controls their complete existence. Think about the Jewish people in Egypt. Slavery, captivity, concentration camps, forced labor and imprisonment all fall under the concept of bondage.
Obviously, we are against any type of bondage. The whole Bible is nothing else but an appeal to fight against bondage and become liberated, the Jews from Egypt, and the believers from sin! “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1.
But how can we avoid bondage? By simply saying NO to everything we do not like? Definitely not. I am convinced, the more seriously we take our obligations, the more successfully we fight against bondage.
God is not a dictator who would forcefully impose his will upon us. He lets us know what he expects, he calls us to be his children and the response is up to us. How does a loving and caring father raise his children? With kindness and fairness.
I feel, the more seriously we take our obligations as Christians, citizens of our country, members of our family and colleagues of our profession, the better our freedom is secured. At the first hearing it may sound strange but after giving it a serious consideration, I am sure, you will also accept and agree to this Biblical truth: We should depend on God to be independent and if we fulfill our obligations, the chances are much better that we will remain free.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.