True Freedom

The radical redefinition of freedom from a Christian perspective means embracing the paradox of being free means becoming a slave!

I’ve never yet heard a politician boldly proclaim, “Vote for me, and I’ll take away your freedom!” They are always going on about “protecting democracy,” “restoring your freedom,” or “protecting your rights.” Even those politicians bought and paid for by special interests are desperate to tell you they aren’t bought and paid for by special interests! The older I get, the more comical in the classic sense this appears.

But, to be honest, I also genuinely believe people desire freedom. They want to protect their homes and families and their ability to live free.

Ah, but here’s the problem: What is real freedom? What does the word “free” mean?

You may be surprised to learn that the word “free” doesn’t now, nor has it ever meant, “the ability to do whatever I want.”

That’s not freedom.

That’s perpetual immaturity, especially when those “wants” aren’t matured and tamed by wisdom. A person driven by those passions ends up a slave every time. That is not freedom. It’s also a guaranteed path to addiction and spiritual and physical slavery!

But the Apostle Paul says, “Christ has set us free.” What does he mean? Let’s explore.

Look at our lesson today in Galatians 4:28-31; 5:1-10:

Brethren, we, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? “Cast out the slave and her son; for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and he who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

St. Paul continues his loving and fatherly correction of these Galatian Christians by reminding them that they are the children of the free, not the slave.

And that change of revelation changes everything. You weren’t created to be a slave to your desires, your fears, or your appetites, or your passions. Christ has set you free from the slavery of the time-bound, the mere animal desires that turn us into monsters and not humans.

You were made to be free and master your appetites and tame them and make them servants to you!

So, if you were made for freedom, why aren’t you living that way? Where are you driven by your desires, fears, and selfish motivations? It is precisely in those places that you are not, in fact, free!

The key here is the Christian and Biblical understanding of “freedom.” Christian freedom is slavery to Christ! Christian freedom is the active embrace of the radical notion that my life, my behaviors, and my priorities cannot be what they are created to be unless I actively and purposefully conform my life to my Creator’s purpose for my life. Period!

Paul insists we embrace the gift of freedom offered to us by Jesus Christ SO THAT we will be who we really are. We aren’t meant to be enslaved by our greed, fears, or good intentions. We are set free by Jesus Christ to start the hard work of seeing that freedom seeps into every nook and cranny of our lives to heal our broken “want to,” to heal our broken and enfeebled will.

It is this radical redefinition of freedom away from the false notion that freedom means “doing what I want” to seeing true freedom can only come when I refuse to be a slave to anything or anyone smaller that God! The paradox of Normal Orthodox Christianity is that freedom only comes to me when I am an exclusive slave to Jesus Christ!

Sts. Sergius and Bacchus, the Great Martyrs of Syria, were high-ranking officials in Emperor Maximian’s court in the Roman Empire. When the emperor was informed that these two heroes of the Faith did not participate in the pagan festivals, the emperor summoned the men to his throneroom and questioned them. These Christians readily confessed to being followers of Jesus Christ. In a rage, the emperor had these two high-ranking officials of outstanding reputation dressed as women and paraded through the streets to humiliate them. The emperor then had them beaten. St. Bacchus died of the beatings, but St. Sergius was taken to Resapha in Syria, where he was beheaded for being a Christian. All this happened in 296 AD. These men understood that true freedom was staying faithful to Christ, even if it cost them their lives.

Today, know that God never does anything for Himself since He is already complete and whole. Everything He has ever done, said, or taught has been for you and me. This is our path, dear one, to true freedom and a healed “want to.” The Path of robust love sets me free to selfless liberty that makes me like my Creator. Risky? Yes. Painful? You bet. Is it worth it? Only if you call eternal joy and peace and discover and become who you were really meant to be worth it. Only if you live a Normal Orthodox life!

P.S. As we gather, let us crown with sacred hymns of laudation those two brethren in the Faith, the great and valorous martyrs: Sergius was the Triune Godhead's most steadfast warrior; and with him, wise Bacchus manfully suffered torments; and they both confessed Christ Savior as God, the Maker and sacred Trainer of all.

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Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack. Watch the Faith Encouraged YouTube Channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@FaithEncouragedTV