Freedom and Independence
On the 4th of July, Independence Day for the USA, we celebrate freedom and independence, two words that describe our understanding of liberty from tyranny. The written Bible predates the Declaration of Independence by about 1680 years. The books that make up the Bible were completed around 96 A.D., with the Apostle John’s writing of the book of Revelation. Interestingly, America’s Founders studied the Bible extensively, and their political speeches and sermons often drew from biblical stories, examples, and quotes. For instance, the Declaration of Independence’s emphasis on equality and unalienable rights aligns with biblical principles.
When it comes to the concepts of freedom and independence, many people use these words interchangeably. However, there are differences between the two that are worth exploring both in the current worldview and the Biblical view.
Freedom in the worldview is the state of being able to act, speak, and think without external restraint or coercion. It is the ability to exercise one’s rights and privileges without interference from others or from the government. Freedom is often associated with individualism, self-expression, and autonomy. It is a fundamental value in many societies and is enshrined in various legal and political documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United States Constitution. In the light of the indiscretions of some police and demonstrators these past months we must agree that freedom does not mean we have the right to do as you please. Freedom without responsibility is not true freedom because it leads to the oppression of others. The cry for freedom can produce both peaceful elections and mob violence. What began with national freedom from foreign rule can quickly devolve into a cry of freedom against our own chosen government when it turns out we don’t like something. The cry for freedom, unchecked, soon pines for individual “liberty” from any outside “authority,” however human, or divine.
Independence in the worldview refers to the state of being self-sufficient and not reliant on others for support or resources. It is the ability to take care of oneself and make decisions and take actions without relying on external support or guidance. Independence can refer to both individuals and nations. For individuals, it means being financially and emotionally self-sufficient, while for nations, it means having sovereignty and the ability to govern themselves without external interference. Independence is often associated with strength, resilience, and self-determination. However, independence, without restraints, results in self-righteousness where every person does what is right in their own eyes and results in hate for anyone who would disagree.
God reveals in the Bible that true freedom is a profound concept that transcends mere earthly liberties. When we embrace Christ and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives, we experience a liberation that goes beyond worldly or political freedoms. “If Christ sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Christian freedom is the reality that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross covers our sins, and frees us from the guilt of our sins, and increasingly from the power of our sins. Christian freedom is freedom for knowing God. For being His and having Him as ours. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are freed for holiness, freed for true life, freed to be sons and daughters in God’s eternal family, freed to enjoy the inheritance of everything, and to enjoy Jesus now and forever. In essence, freedom in Christ involves a spiritual transformation that impacts our hearts, minds, and actions. It’s a freedom that lasts beyond this life, connecting us to eternity with Him.
Christian freedom involves loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37, 39). It is not the kind of liberty that moves us away from each other, to protect our rights, and guard our self-defined beliefs of liberty. But it is a freedom of togetherness, a freedom that is greater and more enjoyable with others. In Christ, we are free to serve others, bless others, love each other; we are freed from self-justification, self-focus, selfishness. We are free, for the sake of love, to make the joyful choice to not exercise some personal right, as God instructs us in 1 Corinthians 9:19: “though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all.”.
From a Biblical perspective, true independence is not about being self-sufficient or autonomous, but rather about being dependent on God. The Bible teaches that we were created to be in a relationship with God and that true independence can only be found in Him. There are many Bible verses that offer wisdom on the topic of independence. One such verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This verse reminds us that true independence comes from trusting in God and submitting to His will. When we rely on our own understanding and try to make decisions without God's guidance, we are likely to make mistakes and experience self-imposed difficulties. However, when we trust in God and submit to His will, He will guide us and make our paths straight.
God plays a crucial role in our freedom and independence. He is the one who created us and gave us the ability to make decisions and take actions. However, He also wants us in our freedom to be independent by being dependent on Him and to seek His guidance in all that we do.
