30 Nov What The Bible Says About Freedom
Freedom is an important concept for us today, not only as Americans but also as Christians. In our country, we have been provided with certain freedoms and rights. However, are these freedoms supported in Scripture? Is freedom a truly Biblical concept or is it simply something we have adopted as part of our religious culture? From where does our freedom stem? These are important things to consider as we strive to develop a Biblical perspective of freedom.
So, what does the Bible say about freedom? Throughout the Bible, we find many examples and lessons on the topic of freedom. We learn that true freedom lies in Jesus Christ alone. He came to offer us freedom from death, sin, and anything else that enslaves us. Regardless of our physical circumstances, we can find true freedom in Jesus Christ.
How should Christians view the topic of freedom? Is it important that we work to protect and promote the freedoms we experience in our country today or is this a separate topic altogether? In this post, we will discuss what the Bible says regarding freedom. We will also share some important insight into how Christians should promote freedom in their everyday lives.
Developing a Biblical Perspective of Freedom
Freedom is a popular topic, especially in America – the “land of the free”. However, we must frame our perspective of freedom not only on our country’s view of the topic but on Biblical truths. Only in doing so will we be able to understand how freedom should be viewed in the life of a believer.
What is Freedom?
Merriam-Webster defines freedom as “the quality or state of being free; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous; unrestricted use”.
In America, we find it easy to explain and define freedom. We have had the privilege of experiencing incredible freedom in many areas since the foundation of our country. In fact, our freedom is one of the primary qualities that define us as a nation.
However, freedom does not only pertain to the ability to pursue certain activities without restraint. Many individuals, believers and unbelievers alike, long for freedom from sin, addiction, abuse, and other enslaving behaviors. It is in areas like this where the freedom taught in the Scriptures rings especially true.
We must develop an understanding of freedom both in a Biblical sense and a political sense. Doing so will allow us to provide hope to the hurting world around us while working to promote a society that is built on the strong foundation our forefathers established for this country.
What the Bible Says Regarding Freedom
As Christians, we know that freedom has a much deeper meaning than defining our physical circumstances. True freedom is only found through Christ and transcends our physical circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible has to say about our quest for true freedom that is satisfied in Christ.
People Have Chased Freedom for Centuries
While we may be tempted to look at the world around us and think that we are the only generation that has truly struggled for freedom, this is certainly not the case. The quest for freedom is a tale as old as time. In fact, this quest is found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. However, it wasn’t always this way.
At creation, we were given complete freedom. However, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, that freedom was taken away from all of humanity. Since that fateful day, humans have struggled for freedom from physical, mental, and spiritual constraints.
As we take a closer look at the many times certain people or groups lost their physical freedom throughout the Scriptures, we find that this is often tied to an act of disobedience against God. However, because of His grace and mercy, God always provides a way out, demonstrating that He was the only way to achieve true freedom.
While our culture today looks quite different from the stories found in the Bible, we continue to struggle with mental and spiritual slavery. Unfortunately, some of us even suffer physical slavery, although this is far less common in the United States.
Our True Source of Freedom is Jesus Christ
The most important lesson we must learn when developing a Biblical perspective of freedom is that our one true source of freedom is Jesus Christ. Sent from God as the propitiation for our sins, Jesus died on the cross to provide us with access to true, everlasting freedom. This is the Gospel, central to the Christian faith.
John 8:31-32 says “ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Later in the chapter, in John 8:34-36, we read “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Regardless of our physical circumstances, we can find true freedom from sin and slavery by accepting the gift of Salvation. As Christians, we should strive to share the good news of this freedom with everyone around us.
Types of Freedom
Understanding this Biblical view of freedom will help us to better frame our worldview regarding the political freedoms and liberties we experience in our daily lives. Should Christians work to maintain the freedoms on which our country was founded?
In the Declaration of Independence, we find a text that is important to the foundational beliefs of our country. It reads as follows, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As Americans, we are provided with certain rights such as the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, to name a few. In our ever-evolving society, many Christians believe that infringements upon these rights are threatening our religious freedom. Is this an area in which we should involve ourselves?
I believe that it is the role of Christians in America to pray for and pursue a world in which there is equality, liberty, and justice for all. To do so, we must involve ourselves in the upholding of our freedoms as Americans. However, in doing so, we must remember that true freedom is not influenced by the physical freedoms we may or may not experience. True freedom only exists through Christ alone. It is not dependent on our physical or situational freedom.
Important Bible Verses on The Topic of Freedom
The best way to understand what the Bible says about freedom is to conduct our own study on what the Bible says on the topic. Here are a few important Bible verses on freedom:
- Acts 13:39
- Galatians 5:13
- Isaiah 61:1
- John 8:32
- John 8:36
- Psalm 118:5
- Psalm 119:45
- Revelation 1:5-6
- Romans 6:14; 18
- Romans 6:22
- Romans 8:2; 21
- 1 Corinthians 7:22
- 1 Corinthians 9:19
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
- 1 Peter 2:16-17
By studying the truths found in Scripture for ourselves, we can more effectively share the good news with the people around us. Doing so will also help us as we continue to view our world through the lens of the Gospel, finding hope in Heaven, not in our everyday lives.
How Christians Should Promote Freedom in Their Daily Lives
As Christians, we must promote freedom both in the Biblical sense and in a political sense. So, how exactly should Christians work to promote freedom in their daily lives?
First, and most importantly, Christians must work to inform and encourage the people around them with the source of true freedom. People around us continue to suffer from mental, emotional, and spiritual slavery. Only in Jesus will they find true freedom and peace. A few practical steps we can take to accomplish this goal include sharing your faith with others, reaching out beyond your comfort zone, and seeking to live as salt and light in any situation in which you find yourself.
Secondly, Christians should also work to promote freedom in the political sense of the word. It seems as if our constitutional and political freedoms are challenged more every day. It is our responsibility to ensure that our country maintains these foundational values in the midst of a changing society.
However, we must remember that there may come a time when the religious and constitutional freedoms that we experience as Americans cease to exist. While we certainly hope and pray this is not the case, it is important to frame our worldview through the lens of the Scripture. Knowing that our true freedom lies in Heaven allows us to face any situation with confidence.
In Conclusion
At Liberty Justice HQ, we believe in freedom for all mankind. We know that true freedom is found in Jesus Christ alone and is the primary source of freedom for which we should all strive. However, we also understand that a large part of sharing true freedom with the world around us is maintaining our constitutional freedoms.
One of the most important things we can do, not only as Americans but as Christians, is to uphold the many freedoms we experience today. In addition to making our country so unique, these constitutional and political freedoms allow us to freely share our faith and the hope of true freedom which exists solely in Jesus Christ.
By educating ourselves on what the Bible says about government, developing an understanding of legislation that seeks to threaten our freedoms, and working to support political leaders who support our beliefs, we can continue to ensure that both religious and constitutional freedoms are upheld.
Related Questions
What does freedom of speech mean for Christians?
Freedom of speech is the First Amendment to the US Constitution. It ensures that all people are able to express their opinions freely, without fear of repercussion. As Christians, we must use our freedom of speech to encourage and uplift others. We can accomplish this primarily through sharing the truth of the Gospel with the world around us.
As our world continues to change, many Christians feel as if their freedom of speech is in jeopardy. With limitations on public prayers, religious discussions, and other topics, it is important to educate ourselves on our freedom of speech as outlined in the First Amendment.
Is freedom of religion under attack in America today?
Much like other freedoms, many Christians believe that their freedom of religion is under attack in our country. As a foundational truth on which our country was built, it is important that we work to maintain this important freedom.
Freedom of religion protects the right of Americans to choose or change their religious beliefs at any time. It also protects our right to act on our religious beliefs. This can be done by wearing religious clothing, discussing religious beliefs, and participating in worship. Now, more than ever before, it is important that we take action to protect our freedom of religion.
What are the freedoms listed in the US Constitution?
The First Amendment to the US Constitution outlines 5 core freedoms that were not included in the original document. These freedoms include the following: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government.
Because of these freedoms, America has maintained a reputation as the freest country in the world. Growing up in America, it is easy to take these freedoms for granted. However, we must work to educate ourselves on the importance of these freedoms and the reality of a country without these freedoms. We must work to maintain and promote the ability to exercise our constitutional freedoms as our country continues to evolve.
Unfortunately, many Americans do not have a working knowledge of the US Constitution. When we fail to understand the important freedoms of this document we are unable to maintain them in our culture.
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