For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters’ only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:1, 13-14
As Independence Day is upon us, all things relating to rights, citizenship, opportunities and freedoms of every kind are the focus of newscasts, editorials, and feature articles in almost all news sources. The overarching theme celebrates the unique nature of our country’s form of government, and the sacrifices made by so many over the 240 years of the existence of the United States. There are as many opinions about how our government should or should not be functioning as there are people stating opinions. Some seem well thought out and reasonable, while others seem illogical and even self-contradictory when examined closely. Of course, much of the reasonable or unreasonable nature of others’ opinions depends largely on one’s own viewpoint.
There are numerous references to freedom and being free in our Bible, and in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he explains how Christian freedom means much more than personal liberty. As believers, we are not only freed from the slavery of the law, but we are freed for bringing Christ’s love to our neighbors. We are not required to relate to others in service, but we are free to do so as we reflect God’s love and Jesus’ example as we love our neighbor as ourselves.
Hand in hand with the empowerment of freedom comes responsibility. We’ve heard it expressed in numerous ways, such as “To those whom much is given, much is required” and, of course, “Freedom isn’t free.” Most of us get a little weary of being responsible, and can feel burdened and even resentful of being in our situation. However, think what it would be like if we were on the other side of the fence — with neither freedoms nor responsibilities. People in those situations would likely trade places with us in a heartbeat.
As Christians, we are blessed to have been given the gift of spiritual freedom, and the understanding that God’s love will shine through in what we do for others. And then follows the knowledge that responsibility is actually a gift, and our actions speak loudly and clearly that we are followers of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, living according to his teachings for the good of all humanity.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers