Freedom to be...

John 8 : 31 - 42

..if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed

How much freedom do you and I have? Or perhaps it would be better to ask what kind of freedom we are hoping for. Have we more freedom now that we know the Son? This may be tricky if we do not understand the freedom that Jesus refers to. I believe there are a few layers of meaning. Jesus refers to freedom from slavery to sin for the one who receives his word. We may still sin on occasion but sin will not be a ruling passion in our lives. What does such a life look like? It is easy to adopt a legalistic way of defining our freedom from sin. We may convey to others a life that is not too interesting, one that is full of rules and regulations to follow and one that is afraid of every little mistake; a scrupulous life. Contrast that with one who lives with much freedom in being himself or herself, gradually discovering the real person he or she has been created to be........Such a person would be so comfortable with themselves that others are drawn into their presence.

Freedom from sin does not only mean following the 'law' self-righteously as the Pharisees found out the hard way. In fact, their rule keeping had made them blind to the very presence of God in Christ among them. Freedom is granted so that we can live lives of joyful abandon, to grow into the people we were meant to be. It is a lifelong journey, for the Lord reveals to us step by step our true selves.....as we are ready. Many do not really want this liberation because it is costly and sometimes uncomfortable to face ourselves and realize that our rule keeping is not what it is all about. It is easier to hold on to rules and regulations than to meet the God who turns our notions of righteousness upside down.
The Lord often has to work in us at deeper levels, bringing healing and setting us free from what hinders joyful abandon in our lives. This liberation comes with a purpose and responsibility. Receiving the gift of freedom to 'be' is not for our own pleasure. People who are free from slavery to sin, who are free to be persons who embrace their belovedness, will perhaps be the most effective 'gospel' presented to those around them.