Appreciating True Freedom

Everyone desires to experience what freedom is all about: not be restrained or inhibited by forces, external or internal to be what one desires. To experience freedom implies being in control of one’s affairs without inhibition from suppressing forces or restrictive factors in any way. To be free indicates that one can realize one’s aspirations and desires without external forces constituting a hindrance or inhibition. Freedom in that regard is always very desirable and very connected to the fundamental human right. However, freedom should not be interpreted as the unrestrained ability to do whatever one desires or whatever comes to one’s mind even though it will be detrimental to the well-being of others. Freedom does not equate to unrestrained rights to be reckless or lawless without any consequence or repercussions for such lawlessness and recklessness. When we understand freedom from the perspective of having the ability to do what is supposed to be done without any form of inhibition, internally or externally, one will appreciate the true nature of freedom as different from the wrong notion of freedom that at times be equated with lawlessness or reckless behavior. To be free is to be in control of one’s choices in such a way that nothing in us or from others is restraining us from doing what is always right and proper. Such real freedom underscores the value of self-mastery and points to the self-control. It real value of self-discipline make good accept the and ability to decisions culture and of responsibility and accountability.

Freedom respects the value of one’s rights and the rights of others, within the responsible framework that one’s right bestows the responsibility on one to ensure that the rights of others are fostered and respected. Nobody has the freedom to affirm one’s supposed rights at the expense of suppressing other people’s rights. Thus, to affirm one’s freedom, there is need to see the connection with sense of responsibility towards others. Freedom goes with the ability and disposition to always do what is right and good and never should be interpreted as unrestrained license to do what is harmful to oneself and others without any sense of repercussion or consequence. To be free is to be responsible to oneself, others, society and God. Freedom does not mean licentiousness and recklessness. True liberty is not the power to live as we please, but to live as we ought (A.W. Pink)

Appreciating true freedom demands a proper education in what is right and appreciating the means of right human conducts at all given settings. To train someone to be free, the place of proper education and orientation of what it takes to behave responsibly in any given setting where one finds oneself is very essential and irreplaceable. This kind of education and orientation begins in the context of the family where parents become true and exemplary teachers to their children, the concrete path of freedom within the context of seeing connection between freedom and sense of responsibility. The other vital institutions of education and learning within the society: The Schools, Social Learning Centers, places of religious worship and community centers must consolidate on the formation given about freedom and responsibility that began at the homefront. In essence, one cannot be propagating freedom in people without the proper propagation of true Education of what it means to be free within the context of responsibility towards oneself, others, society and God. The underscores the value of True Education at all levels and from all agents of socializations. We must know that people do not just become free automatically, they are formed and educated to be free in the real sense of it. If people are not orientated towards real and true freedom, they will equate freedom with recklessness and irresponsibility. Thus, people must always be formed towards real freedom so as to appreciate the value and gains of freedom.

We should not promote freedom that represents enslavement and irresponsible helplessness and addiction to negative tendencies and vices. To be free is to be civilized and well-mannered. To be free is to have self-mastery. To be free is to always behave well without anything whatsoever inhibiting one to be the best of oneself. To be free is not to be addicted to lawlessness and recklessness. According to the wisdom of Frances Schaffer: He who will not use his freedom to preserve his freedom while he still has his freedom will lose his freedom. Freedom demands true responsibility towards oneself, others, society and God. One cannot claim true freedom while living a life characterized by irresponsible decisions and unruly behavior that will eventually lead to the loss of freedom that one claims. Let us remain free as we take to right and good pattern of life that secures our freedom. Our life is a gift from God, what we make of our life is our own gift to oneself, others, society and ultimately to God. Let us accept the freedom we have in God and remain free through Him.

John 8:31-36, Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 5:1-25, Romans 8-11.