Can Our Concept of Freedom be Wrong?

Editor’s Note: The following editorial was originally posted in September 2010; its message is worthy to be revisited especially as we consider the present condition of our nation and how our freedoms are being eroded more and more. A prime example is how the “thought police” is out in full force on academic campuses at all levels in efforts to transform our culture into something unrecognizable. Freedom can only be enjoyed if the true definition is known. That perspective is precisely presented in this editorial for your consideration. 

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Can Our Concept of Freedom be Wrong?
by Ramon Arias

Much is said about the importance of freedom. Throughout human history the battle to acquire liberty has gone on and when it supposedly arrives people face a tremendous disappointment because no real change carries over to the social structures. Can it be that our concept of liberty is wrong?

For example, the United States of America projects to the rest of the world that it is the land of the free and the home of the brave. America has proclaimed its freedom doctrine in the world and when it judges that a situation in a foreign nation merits action it intervenes militarily to enforce it.

The States intervened in World War I and World War II to bring liberty to the European continent. It also intervened in the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other nations with the same goal in mind to make other nations free. The interesting part is that no nation that has been the recipient of the American generosity of bloodshed and sacrifice has demonstrated that it has received and enjoyed this supposed liberty. 

Most nations consider themselves to be free because they have a democratic political system, however, their social structures, just like the United States of America, are not free and they are also dominated by slavery.

Slavery is not only when a human deprives another human being of their freedom of movement forcing them to slave labor because that is what their body was acquired for. The kind of slavery I am referring to is far worse than we can possibly imagine or that many want to admit.

The word “freedom” is on the lips of many, including school teachers and professors, the media is constantly emphasizing and projecting it, also, politicians and public servants constantly speak about the importance of freedom. Nevertheless, judging from the actions of people, the fact remains that human beings truly fear freedom and prefer slavery.

By nature, human beings are not free but slaves. They are born slaves to sin and it is that sinful nature that is projected into all areas of human behavior. We must face this truth although most prefer to ignore it and simply classify these concepts as religious or fanaticism.

In the times of Jesus, the nation of Israel considered itself the chosen people of God and custodians of the revealed Truth of Scripture. However, they were under the Roman Empire rule and the moral decay and social problems derived from moral corruption manifested in abundance clearly showing that the entire nation was enslaved and distanced from God.

An important lesson people of biblical faith must learn is found in the following Scripture in the very words of Jesus:

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in 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.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits 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. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you” (John 8:31-37).

Jesus makes it very clear that the root of slavery lies within the inward nature of human beings. 

Free photo 112455025 © creativecommonsstockphotos - Dreamstime.comThe world is under the control of enslaved people because they have not allowed the Spirit of God to regenerate them. People do not understand this and some may even mock such a declaration, but the truth is they chose slavery over liberty because it is what feels more comfortable to them even though they may live a miserable life. When I say a miserable life, I do not mean having lack of material resources or even an academic education.

At election time the majority of people vote for slavery because they themselves are enslaved, even though they may talk like free people, being in enmity with God makes them chose slavery instead of true freedom. Israel was freed from slavery in Egypt but throughout the ages they continued to remain in slavery because they rejected consistently to live in the liberty given to them by God.

Just like the Israelites of old, the post-modern man also fears true freedom. Why? Man fears freedom because it represents a life of responsibility under the government of God. Slavery offers a supposed life of liberty free of responsibilities, this is the reason it appeals to the masses and that is why they remain slaves. 

When we study the history of slavery in the nations, the high percentage of people who accept slavery is so impressive; they refuse to accept the responsibility that comes with true freedom.

God created humans to take responsibility and administer the earth with the principles and absolutes of His moral/ethical law that rules His Kingdom. When a person chooses to flee from God, they are fleeing from the true meaning of life and freedom.

 “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

 In the light of this truth, man has only two options: to accept the Bible’s offer or continue to accept slavery. 

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