The Truth Shall Make You Free

We often don't realize how important freedom is until changes occur in our state of being free. If this value is restricted beyond your will and sphere of influence or if your freedom is even taken away from you.

What is freedom?

How can you best describe freedom? It is difficult to formulate this concept correctly and completely in a few sentences. In a general sense it is often expressed as the freedom to think, do, believe and choose what you want. But the more you think about it, the more facets of freedom you discover.

Freedom is often linked to human rights, such as freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

In society, freedom is associated with independence and autonomy. Want to determine everything yourself, or at least as much as possible; not be bound by obligations or other people.

There are boundaries

The question is: does complete freedom exist? There are limits to how free you are. Freedom is subordinate to laws, commandments, norms and values.

You are allowed to have your own opinion and express it, unless you incite discrimination or hatred. Freedom of speech is limited by the law (the prohibition of hate speech) and God's commandments (“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31). One person's freedom should not come at the expense of another's freedom.

You are free to make choices. But that is also limited. If you choose option A, you prefer that to option B. In situations where you make a decision, you have to prioritize. You can choose arbitrarily, but in the case of dilemmas you often choose based on your beliefs, your principles.

Truly free

The Bible also speaks of freedom. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 34, 36.

God promises us freedom through the truth. Jesus sets us free from our sin. He gives us grace, which releases us from our burden of debt. This is opposed to the bondage of sin. It is the great love of the Lord that underlies this.

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” John 6:38-39. Jesus is an Example for us. He was humble and subservient. Christ never put His self first. We may imitate Him (Galatians 2:20).

“It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.” Thoughts from the mount of blessings 16.1

Self-love makes us feel like we have to defend our peace and freedom continually, but God gives us His rest if we give God all the glory He deserves and we have a serviceable attitude towards our neighbors (Matthew 11:29).

God's liberties

As we saw in John 8, we are free from sin through the grace that Jesus gives us.

According to Romans 7:6, believers are free from the law, which tells us what sin is. This does not mean that we no longer have to keep the commandments. "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:15. Our new life with Christ has changed our relationship with the law. Making a conscious choice to respect His precepts is not limiting, but flows from love for God.

“So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:44-45.

A third freedom God gives is freedom from fear. More than 150 times in the Bible it is said, ‘Fear not.’ “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Then there is freedom for your neighbor. When you realize that you owe everything to God's grace, it is easier to deal with the mistakes or mistakes of others. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. … And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:13 and 15.

Choose you this day

There is a fifth freedom: you are free to choose whether you want to serve God or not. Already in the beginning of Genesis, in paradise, God gave people that freedom of choice. Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree and God let it happen. If we make a wrong choice, He respects that decision as well.

“God desires from all His creatures the service of love—homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.” Great controversy 493.2.

The Lord wants us to know Him, appreciate Him, and choose to love and honor Him without compulsion.

When you realize that you have made wrong choices, when you see that you are not free, but bound in sin, know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He makes sure that He is always near so that He is there for you whenever you need Him.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. Will you open the door for Him?