Freedom
March 22, 2025
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” — Galatians 5:1.
This verse quoted from the Bible begs the question “what exactly is freedom.”
Why?
Because freedom means different things to different people.
There is freedom to, freedom of, freedom for, freedom by, freedom from, freedom in.
Generally, we think of freedom as being able to speak our opinions and views in public settings. It means we have freedom of religion and how to worship and practice it. It means freedom for gathering together as family, as friends, as allies. It means freedom by choice without force and without intimidation. It means freedom from incumbrance. It means freedom in living our own lives in private and in peace…
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” — Galatians 5:1.
Autonomy… Liberty… Self-determination… Release… These words are all synonyms of freedom. When I read that from the dictionary, that last word seemed odd… Until I remembered a Bible prophecy which Jesus claimed as His own:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” — Luke 4:18–19, NIV.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
Well, haven’t we all claimed at one time or another, “ I live in a free country. I live my life however I want. I am totally free! So, what in the world are you talking about?”
This:
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. — Revelation 3:17–18, NIV.
So, what I am talking about is not “in the world.”
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
I was,just like many of us — we keep so busy, occupying our minds and time with other things so that we don’t have to think about our human nature and human condition that has such a bent for choosing paths away from God rather than towards Him… Facing the hard truth that God exists and we exist so very far away from Him.
You say you are different? You don’t believe in that malarkey? You’ve got better things to think about and to do?
I’m sure you think so. I certainly used to myself…
*****
So far, this soliloquy has been about freedom, but I want to add some information about a different but very closely related Bible word. Before I start, I want to emphasize that this word is too often misunderstood and misused from its original Biblical intent…
The word is “fear.”
But first, please, allow me, for background information, this one excursion off topic:
I use English Dictionary word definitions and synonyms; Greek and Hebrew word translations; Bible translations and paraphrases; broader Encyclopedic explorations in depth for who, what, and even why; and Greek and Hebrew websites — all of them are easily sourced online, if you want confirmations.
Still, if I am to be completely honest, believe me or not, I first lean heavily on Bible reading and prayer for inspiration and encouragement while using the other sources to confirm or contradict and to correct my thinking on any subject or belief.
As for Bible Commentaries, I avoid them as much as I can for two reasons: either they are uninspiring and wrong, or they offer just another writer’s opinion and limited view… like the blind leading the blind.
I don’t want or expect anyone to blindly accept my writings as fact, either, since I am just an ordinary person myself.
Besides, essay writing is one way for me to exercise my freedom…
So, to address the subject of freedoms already mentioned, what they boil down to is this one general freedom: the freedom from being afraid of anyone or anything.
Jesus said this:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” — John 14:1, NIV.
It’s a choice.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:18–19, NIV.
It is not only a choice, but it is an opportunity.
Let me add further, the Greek word for “love” used here is “Agapé, a term used in the New Testament to describe a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is the highest form of love, often associated with the love of God for humanity and the love that believers are called to have for one another.” — https://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm.
Still and all, the word “fear” has — like many other words in the Bible — evolved into mere empty religious words without being defined precisely and plainly.
The errant meaning, as used in many contexts, has been imposed on religious audiences only to instill anxiety, terror. and even dread in order to exercise control and manipulate the masses.
(Religion is not the only venue for manipulation… or haven’t you noticed the politics of our day? I think the manipulation dynamic is an integral part of our human nature. You?)
Do you really think that God went out of His way to create us in order to terrorize us? Really?
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
For review purposes, an important principle I have learned in word studies in the Bible involves understanding the dynamics: cultural usage, original definitions, context in sentence or phrase or paragraph or chapter and verse, and consistency with other Bible stories.
For an illustration, look at the word in an important context of this verse: “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” — Proverbs 9:10, NLT.
So, are we supposed to be scared to death of God, or are we to respect Him enough to stop to listen and put what He advises into practice?
That’s also a choice.
Below is an excerpt for understanding this verse:
“Indeed, when the Lord appears to human beings, God is quick to say, “Do not fear” (על תירא; al tira’; e.g., Gen 15:1; Jgs 6:23; cf. Lk 1:30). In these instances, the Lord does not encourage a fearful response to the divine presence, but rather a spirit of respect, reverence, and receptivity.. — https://weekly.israelbiblecenter.com/what-does-fear-mean-in-hebrew
Here’s another excerpt from the same article that talks about proper understanding of Bible words and texts:
“When Bible readers ask about the meaning of a Hebrew word, they might assume that there’s a single and semantically stable answer. However, the definitions of words do not function this simply in any language; instead, the same word can have two disparate meanings depending on its context. For example, we could say, “The view from her balcony overlooks the park.” Alternatively, we could note, “He always overlooks important details.” In these instances, “overlooks” carries different meanings that depend on the words around it. The same can be said of the Hebrew ירא (yare; “to fear”).”
As I have come to see the world, most activities available to us are either distractions or constraints erupting from our own fears — from questions about why we exist to how we go about existing within the natural realm and most importantly, in the heavenly realm…
Just the same, through the avenue provided by Jesus, we have a well lit road by which we can escape all fears and discover what is certain, solid, and focused.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
Alan Jackson — Just As I Am our own
