True and Eternal Freedom

There is a startling trend in America today to consider freedom the ability to do or be whatever a person wants without consequence or cost.

Let us look at freedom, what it means, and how to attain a freedom that cannot be lost or taken.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary describes freedom as:

            1. the quality or state of being free: as

                        a. the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action

b. liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence.

                        c. the quality or state of being exempt or released from something onerous

So, to have freedom, we must not be forced in choice or action, we must be independent and be free or released from something onerous (a troublesome burden or difficult yoke).

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Christ will free us from eternal bondage.  So how do we stand fast in Christ?

I suggest that true freedom, eternal freedom and peace can only be obtained through submission to Christ.  First, what is submission?

Merriam-Webster’s defines the verb submit as:

            1.         a. to yield oneself to the authority or will of another

                        b. to permit oneself to be subjected to something

            2. to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another

So, how does submission, the act of allowing someone else to decide for you, guide you and correct you, create this freedom we all seek?

Psalm 146: 5-8

            “⁵ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, ⁶ Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; ⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.  The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. ⁸ The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down;”

When we are in submission to the Lord, he executes justice and frees prisoners.

What are you a prisoner to?

Will you let him free you?

Ephesians 5:22-24

            “²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

In our culture, often submission is seen as only for the ignorant, foolish and weak.  How does God view submission?

When we place this common marriage scripture in context with the letter written to the church at Ephesus, we better understand God’s view of submission.

Ephesians 5:15-21

            “¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one to another in the fear of God.

God does not see our actions as the world does, but with a higher purpose and perfect knowledge.  He views submission in the church and in our marriages as not just wise, but walking in wisdom, and the world would too if they understood what was on the line when we are called to submit.

But, how do we submit to an imperfect husband, or imperfect spiritual leaders in our church?

Colossians 3:12-18

            “¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

So, it should be easy to follow our husbands or spiritual leaders when they put on the character of the new man described in Colossians, but they don’t always, they fail...

God hasn’t just called the husbands, fathers and Elders to put on this new man, but all who are new in Christ.

When our leaders falter, when we feel they are unfair or unworthy of our submission, remember that He has called us to put on the new man as well.  As Paul instructs the church in Colosse, “Put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

He has called all of us, young and old, male and female to put on the character of the new man.  Give grace, give forgiveness, teach each other, praise the Lord and give thanks for the opportunity to submit to God in all things.

I have a wonderful marriage, not perfect, but wonderful.  I have a husband who loves me, sacrifices for me and puts my needs first (Ephesians 5:25-33).  If my earthly marriage as an imperfect wife, to an imperfect husband can be so fulfilling and peaceful, how much better Heaven will be with a perfect Christ as the bridegroom who covers all my imperfections.

God is indeed wise.

The call for submission is not just for wives.  This is a call to all whether young or old, single or married, male or female – Seek true and eternal freedom through humble submission to Christ and the will of God.

Matthew 11:28

                        “²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Will you submit and find the everlasting peace he has promised the church?