“Freedom” is defined as “the power to determine action without restraint.” What an amazing power it is but also such an incredible responsibility. For those of us who follow Christ, we have been given that very gift through our faith in Him. For, “it was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 AMP). But how many of us truly live out their freedom?
When I was in my early twenties, for my first car I chose my license plate to say “FREED.” I thought about what I would say if people asked me what it meant; actually, I was half worried that others might wonder if I was just released from jail! In truth, I wasn’t sure what else I would say if asked. Having been a Christian for only a few years, I don’t think I had much of an inkling as to what that really meant or how it applied to my life. I had sense enough to know that I didn’t know, no matter what my license plate read. I was only beginning to understand what personal freedom was outside of life under my parents’ roof or college life. I think it’s safe to say that most people in their twenties are really just focused on finding out the distance that personal freedom can take them.
Nelson Mandela once said, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” That was not the kind of freedom necessarily on my radar as a young Christian. But scripture tells us that that’s exactly the kind of freedom God had in mind for us:
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love, serve and seek the best for one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” (Galatians 5:13-14 AMP)
My personal freedom isn’t meant to be about me doing what I want, when and how I want. My freedom is meant to be focused on the blessing of others. That is why over the last fourteen years my husband and I have devoted ourselves to missions work in Lima, Peru. What a joy it has been to travel there time after time to serve the people of Peru and share our blessings with them. I only wish it were just as easy to rid myself of my selfishness here at home. I am a mother of three beautiful children and strive to give them everything they need, yet I know that there still lives in me a great selfishness I feel I cannot escape, at least in my own power. Thankfully, I have also been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to lean on to help correct my ways.
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. (Galatians 5:22-25 AMP)
That sounds like such an overwhelming mouthful when I think of trying to do it in my own strength. But God means to empower us if we will simply turn to Him and allow Him to do it. There are examples of such living all around me as well. My amazing husband, Alex, serves his family daily with tireless diligence and honor, just like he serves his employer. He is a true example of what freedom is for. His is the lead that I follow alongside Christ as we strive to walk in a manner worthy of the freedom He died for.
The Art of Choosing True Life 