NEWS

True Freedom

The blockade of Canada’s capital, led by anti-vaccination and anti-lock-down truckers has paralysed the city for almost 3 weeks. The “Freedom convoy” has inspired many similar demonstrations in countries around the world, including Australia. The catch cry is to fight for freedom against COVID vaccine mandates and lock-down rules.

Freedom is perhaps the human right of first importance, and there are many celebrated freedom revolutions and movements in history.

However, it is important to understand what true freedom is. As individualism, self-gratification and a culture of detachment from community (encouraged by our increasing engagement in a virtual world) grow, the notion of freedom is more and more being thought of as being able to do whatever one feels like doing. Such freedom is obviously not feasible in any community, as the action of one could impinge on the freedom and wellbeing of others. There is also the issue of whether society should allow people the freedom to destroy themselves with vices like drug or gambling addictions. Where is the balance point between personal freedom and the greater good of society and humanity?

In the light of this conundrum, we praise the Lord for the concept of freedom God has given to His people.  Jesus said “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (Jn 8:36) In what way has Christ set us free? You and I are free:

1. from the enslavement of sin and the guilt of sin

2. from being afraid, worried, anxious, insecure and timid

3. to become the person that the Lord intends for us to be and have life to the full

4. to love God and fellow men with the strength He provides

5. to do His will and be the Body of Christ, to share His mission to redeem the whole of creation.

Biblical freedom does not give us a licence to do whatever we desire, because we still have remnants of the old sinful self with us. Some of those desires are destructive to self and society, and are not glorifying to the Lord. In fact, Paul said “…you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God...” (Rm 6:22). “Slave to God” does not sound like freedom, does it? Paul uses the metaphor of slave to emphasise the importance of obedience to the master; not a cruel master that exploits and mistreats, but one who has redeemed the slave from the hopeless predicament of debt and death, and accepted him into his household as part of the family. We need to trust and obey our Master to be truly free. That freedom does entail self-denial, because we still need to rid ourselves of vices, and we know that is the road of sanctification. On that road, we need some “rules” to guide us in life. Christ has given us the two great commandments – love God and our neighbours, not to constrain us, but to fulfil us. Indeed, we cannot be saved by works of the law, but having been saved, we need to live as one redeemed, seeking to love the Lord by obeying His commandments (Jn 14:15). We are truly free when we live within God’s boundaries, just like a train can only function safely and properly when it runs on set tracks.

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