Summer Challenge Week 8: Freedom

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Freedom in our culture
A lot of times freedom is described as doing what you want, when you want, and wherever you want with an expectation of minimal consequences. The only problem is that everything has a consequence and everything has a cost. For example, when I was attending Tech, there was always some sort of promotion going on campus and groups were always giving out free stuff. Most of us would take the stuff and not think anything of it, not realizing that it cost the company or whoever money to give away free things. Additionally, these groups giving out “free” stuff but really it was for the purposes of promotion or supporting a cause to bring in more money for them.

What is freedom?
According to the scriptures, “freedom” is living in the light of the Gospel. We tend to think that we are “free” when we are doing whatever we want without consideration of God, but in all reality, we are living in bondage, suppressing what is going on in our hearts. We live under the bondage of expectations and approval of men so we can feel good about ourselves. We are enslaved to our egos and self-image so we can look good in front of people. We strive for this “freedom” but we are running on empty. Paul says, “For freedom Christ has set us free”, meaning that freedom had an important part in why Christ had to die for us. Christ understood the true meaning of freedom. Some of us might think we are living free because we are doing what we want, but honestly, you are being dominated by expectations and opinions, either self imposed or from others. Regardless of whether you feel “free” or not, Christ came to die a needed death, because whether we have high expectations or a low expectations for ourselves, neither option can measure up to what God requires from us ,apart from Jesus.

Why Christ had to die
There are a few reasons why Christ died for our freedom. Firstly, we were enslaved. With Christ dying on the cross and taking upon our sins and giving us his righteousness, he made a way for us to have communion with God. This communion we have now was not possible before because we were under God’s harsh and just judgment because of our sin. Secondly, not only did Christ set us free from sin, but also gave us his righteousness making it unnecessary for us to live up to God’s expectations Jesus accomplished all we needed to do. Now, God sees us holy and blameless because of Jesus. Understanding these truths free us from not having to live up to what other people think about us either. Lastly, he died for our freedom for the glory of the Father. Living a life under scrutiny only leads to constant thoughts about whom we are trying to please. God frees us to not try to please people. Instead, because of Jesus, we are pleasing to him and need no other approval.

Do not submit to the yoke of slavery
Paul urges us to not go back to slavery. When we are not living in the freedom of Christ, we are denying the work on the cross, trying to eliminate what Christ accomplished. Going back to slavery is like paying your bills twice! Living in “slavery” as a Christian is living a life trying to attain something that is already giving to us. What can we do with being a freed people? Love God and love people. Christ freed us to freely love and obey God. Freedom is a grace. Live in the grace you’ve received and be gracious. Be thankful to the grace-giver. Grace is unmerited favor or kindness given because of the cross of Christ. Unlimited kindness! This is a radical idea. Let’s be a people that walk in freedom by living in grace.