As we approach July 4th, the idea of freedom and independence has been on my mind. We as a country and as individuals value freedom, but many in our day and age find Christianity confining and constraining, an enemy to personal freedom. This view is in part due to our modern, Western understanding of freedom as being able to “think anything we want to think, and do anything that we want to do,” without relying on an outside authority or power. So how can one with such a view come to accept Christianity and Jesus Christ?
A book that I read during my vacation was very helpful in suggesting an answer. The book is called The Reason for God, written by Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. While there is much to comment on and commend in the book, one of the things that I want to share in this column is Keller’s take on true freedom. Keller contends that freedom is not simply “doing anything I want to do.” In fact, in many cases, confinement and constraint can actually be liberating. The “restriction” of gravity allows us to move and keeps our atmosphere from floating away so that we can breathe. Even as our country fought and won our independence from England, that did not eliminate our need for government, an authority that limits and constrains certain behaviors. If we had no enforceable laws, we would live in anarchy, imprisoned in our own houses for fear of what others might do to us in their “freedom.” Therefore, freedom is not the absence of limitations and constraints. Human freedom flourishes within the context of the right limitations and constraints, those that fit our nature and liberate us (Keller, p. 49).
According to Keller, love is a great example of how true freedom works. One of the principles of love is that you have to lose some independence to attain greater intimacy. To experience the joy and freedom of love, you must give up some personal autonomy. And in the most radical way, God-in God’s love for us-constrained Himself when He became a limited human being in the person of Jesus Christ who suffered, sacrificed and ultimately died for us human beings. When we truly respond to Christ’s love, then doing what pleases God should not feel oppressive to us at all. Rather, like a person deeply “in love,” you will be motivated to know everything and do everything in your power to bring pleasure to your beloved. You won’t be afraid of giving up some of your “freedoms,” because you are finding your true freedom in your beloved. And when that beloved Person is Jesus Christ, the Truth and Love of God, then we will experience what John 8:32 promises: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
May true freedom be yours as you celebrate Independence Day this year!
- In Christ, Michael
