"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
~ Galatians 5:1
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Definitions of the word freedom, according to the 1785 edition of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language are...
... Liberty; exemption from servitude; independence.
.... Privileges; franchises; immunities.
... Power of enjoying franchises.
... Exemption from fate, necessity, or predetermination.
... Unrestraint.
... The state of being without any particular evil or inconvenience.
... Ease or facility in doing or showing any thing.
(And, because in the modern world the word franchise means McDonalds, his definition of franchise is: "1. Exemption from any onerous duty. 2 Privilege; immunity; right granted." and "3. District; extent of jurisdiction.")
Summed up in slightly more contemporary language, we think of freedom as the ability to do or say as we choose, unconstrained.
... Though, between the dictates of governance, society, and hopefully our own sense of right and wrong, there are and have always been limits.
George Bernard Shaw once said, "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."
Charlotte Bronte said, "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."
According to Dr. Jim Taylor of the University of San Francisco, via Psychology Today, in order to live out our nation's promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," we require three freedoms.
Physical freedom.
Psychic freedom (and, no, we're not talking crystal balls, simply freedom from the stinkin' thinkin' and the emotional spirals we sometimes encounter in life.) And...
Relational freedom. (The ability to build healthy connection, relationships, and enjoy shared experience.)
According to The Warrior's Way, we humans have three types of freedom as well, only this time it's:
Freedom from...
Freedom to do... &
Freedom to be...
I'm not sure how much I've shown this particular side of myself here (though you may be beginning to have a clue,) but, I'm an ardent fan of quotes. One of the favorites I've ever come across on our subject du jour is by Peter Marshall...
"May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right."
This particular post happened to fall on the Fourth of July, so it seemed there really was no other potential topic of conversation.
In the worldly sense, when we think of freedom, we think of the liberty to make our own choices, of free will.
We think of freedom of belief, freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom of the press, financial freedom, and so much more.
As believers though, what is our core tenet of freedom?
The freedom we receive through the sacrifice of the Messiah on Calvary, naturally.
We are free from our sin. As far as the east is from the west, He remembers it no more. We are unshackled... let loose on the world to shine light, be salt, and do what is right, according to His Word for the sake of His Kingdom.
John 8:36. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
You are free from sin. You are unshakled.
Take a moment to take that in.
Through Him, we have the privilege of walking through this life free of guilt or shame, if we choose it. We are free to approach the Creator of the heavens and the earth and to revel in the glory and blessings of that creation, with every breath. AND, in the blessings of being His creation, of living out the spiritual gifts we've been given.
What does that mean for you?
We walk in Him and with Him, and because we do, we get to authentically love our neighbor, and love ourselves (rightly, of course.)
All of it, we must simply choose.
I do hope the above thoughts have lifted you up and made you smile a deep, knowing smile that shows upon that beautiful visage. They certainly have for me.
One final quote.
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once implored, "From every mountainside, let freedom ring."
Let freedom ring, indeed. In all her glorious forms. In our nation. And, in your heart and life.
❤️🤍💙 HAPPY 4th of JULY!!! ❤️🤍💙
Father God,
Thank You for the freedoms You granted to each of us when time began, in the fundamental fabric of the foundations of the earth.
Thank You for the freedoms You offer through the life and death of Your Son.
Thank You for the privileges of living in a place where, while freedom isn't free, it is ours to stand for and fight for and claim.
God, bless Your children the world over, that all may know the peace of true freedom indeed.
These things we pray in the name of Your Son, who died on the cross and rose again for the sake of our most fundamental freedom.
Amen.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17
"In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free." ~ Psalm 118:5
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." ~ John 8:36
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥ This took some digging, but it was so worth it. I've not heard this talented woman. What heart! There's meat in this music. I can't believe it only has 1k+ views. Laurel Taylor, I'll definitely be listening for more.
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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