[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 18/Apr/2021]
Throughout the pandemic we’ve heard a lot of talk in the media about the issue of freedom. As Christians, we sometimes make the mistake of thinking that freedom is just about doing (or buying) whatever we want. We think we’re free because when we want to buy groceries, we can choose between Tesco, Lidl, Iceland or Waitrose – at least if we live in Horley! But what does the Bible teach us about freedom? Surely there’s more to freedom than the right to choose between various brands of cereals and shampoo!
I think the recent periods of lockdown have shown us what a poor understanding of freedom we have in our Western culture today. We think that we’re free as long as the government doesn’t stop us from going to the pub. But when the lockdown restrictions are eventually lifted – and when we’re allowed back into pubs, restaurants, shops, etc. – the fact remains that if we don’t have Christ, we’ll still be in spiritual lockdown, regardless of whatever Boris Johnson tells us we can and can’t do.
God’s Word teaches us that “freedom” without God is just another word for slavery to self. Freedom isn’t just a matter of doing whatever we want or acting on our impulses. When we just do what we want without thinking about God, we become slaves to our own emotions and instincts. This is why “freedom without God” is a contradiction. It’s only by following Christ that we can find true freedom.
So regardless of whatever outward restrictions might be imposed during lockdowns, this is a good time to think about what it means to be free in Christ. Let’s learn to trust in the promise of God that if Jesus sets us free, then we really will be free indeed (John 8:36).
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Joshua T. Searle
Contributed by Joshua T. Searle; © the Author
