What is true freedom?

When Christ has set you free, you are free indeed!

So, what does it mean to be set free?

“Free” in the above scripture means, “not bound by an obligation; in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic Law.”

In other words, it is not about being completely un-tethered or un-influenced. We must admit that we are all tethered/influenced by something or someone – often multiple things and people.

Think about what underlies your decision making? There you’ll find your tether. Are you trying to protect some possession? to please a certain person? to make more more money? …

Eugene Peterson states that “freedom is a delicate and subtle gift, easily perverted and often squandered” (The Message preface to Galatians).

What does Peterson mean?

Without the Gospel you can only find worldly influences – money, power, sex, the list is nearly endless. However, with the Gospel, you can now become “a servant of Christ.” The Gospel provides the ability for us to be lead and empowered by the Spirit of God – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

We are freed from having to go it alone and figure life out on our own. Paul says it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” This is where we find the life God has designed us to live. This is where we find true freedom.

So, why does Peterson say freedom is fragile and often squandered? Because we easily forget all we have been given by God – the safety and joy of being led by His incredible Spirit. When we forget, it is easy for us to slip back into relying on empty unfulfilling worldly influences.

One of the best ways to keep from squandering this gift of freedom is by being in community with other Believers who can continually remind us of who we really are in Christ and how we are truly free!

As Paul reminds us in Galatians, we have been set free to serve those around us in love. This is true freedom and makes life worth living.

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