NORTHSHORE CHURCH OF CHRIST

As a teenager, I recall a strong desire to be free of my parents’ command and overwatch. If only I could do what I wanted when I wanted—how wonderful would that be?

As a parent, I now explain to my kids what my parents taught me. They cannot be free until they take full responsibility for their own person and actions. Many adults today do not live free lives because they do not control themselves.

As a martial artist, I train not to control others but to control myself. When you try to control others, you lose control of yourself. When you focus on self-control, you deny others the ability to control you.

Self-control is the root of freedom, and that is why so many people who live in “the land of the free” are virtual slaves: slaves to government, slaves to media, slaves to bosses, slaves to vices and addictions, slaves to spouses, slaves to children.

Have you ever seen a parent plodding through the grocery isles with boisterous children yapping, tugging, and demanding this bag of chips, that ice cream, and peperoni pizza? The haggard parent looks like she is about to either explode or cry—maybe both. That is not a picture of freedom. If the mother had control of herself, she would address the situation in a calm, straightforward manner, but she either doesn’t know how or hasn’t the energy.

On a political level, freedom comes from taking responsibility for your own life and actions. When we believe our rights and gifts come from the government, we endow the government with godhood and make it an idol! Law does not give grace, but it does punish the evildoer.

Can you still be free while living under an oppressive regime? Absolutely you can. You must take responsibility on yourself for your own protection and to take care of your own family. You must live righteously even when others aren’t. You must play the man.

Paul still was free in Christ while in physical prison, listing his imprisonment under the category of God’s grace (Phil. 1.7)! Amazingly, Paul enjoyed contentment even when he was brought low, in need, and hungry (Phil. 4.11–13). True freedom is complete contentment in Christ Jesus no matter what may come at you in life.

This is how we should understand freedom in Christ. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5.1). “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Gal. 5.13–14). Paul says you should “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5.16), and “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal. 5.18).

Walking by the Spirit of God equals walking in freedom. Walking in freedom equals not being under law. No one who does the works of the flesh is free; he remains a slave. Christ has set us free not to follow our flesh but to walk in righteousness!

Satan tricks us into thinking we are NOT free if we are “not allowed” to engage in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, etc. Satan whispers to someone, “Did God really tell you not to slap that jerk across the face? God must not want you to feel how awesome it is to stand up for yourself.” He slithers over to the next person and says, “Did God really say not to touch that woman? I can’t believe He is keeping so many wonderful things from you.” And we begin to believe God has designs to make our lives miserable, when, in fact, God knows the moment we slap the jerk or touch the woman we enter a pathway of death and destruction, becoming slaves of our passions and of Satan’s influences.

As Independence Day rolls around, think about true freedom. Thank God for setting you free in Christ. Commit to live a healthy life free from sin. Do not let the media, your boss, your children, the government, or even your own flesh control you. You control you, God’s Holy Spirit controls you, and that’s the only way to be truly free.