True Freedom

Written: November 18, 2020

Tim Keller mentions how the modern understanding of Freedom is a negative one, in that it is a means to get away from things, to be broken away from the confines that hold us back. 

Where, as the Bible talks about how true Freedom is finding the correct complimentary rules or confines to live by. Keller used the example of the glider, it flies freely because it obeys the laws of gravity, thrust, wind, etc. And is engineered to living within those rules. Another example is the fish in the fish tank. The tank being the 'prison or confines' of its' existence, so to free it we pull the fish out of the thanks, throw it outside and claim, “you’re free!” When all it can do is then die, because now it is outside of the confines of which it was created for.

Which brings us to the undeniable, and very unpopular and almost hated, conclusion that we are destined and maybe even created to live within a certain set of rules/confines. Upon first hearing this it can sound very upsetting and narrow, but when one takes a moment to expand on this concept you can begin to see the principle displayed all around you. 

A superficial example would be sports. Sports only work when every player involved agrees with the set rules of the game. Only then can there be freedom to play your heart out and ultimately there can be a winner. Or music is also a simple example, one can only play within the tempo and scale in order to make music. To play outside of those rules simply reduces it down to noise. 

If we were to take this to the macro level, let's take a look at society as a whole. Civilization always comes to a point where we elect a power or individual to rule over or, to put another way, give them the responsibility to create rules and regulations to allow for a peaceful society. An agreed upon way of living, so that we are all on the same page. Do you see the relation here? A society must create rules that everyone involved agrees upon in order to have peace. There in lies the truth upon how freedom can be built. Whether that rule is to agree to leave each other alone to their own devices or to have the authorities at be control everything you do. At the end of the day they are rules nonetheless.

This is where the modern western society has gone to the extreme left, and I don’t  use that term to convey any type of political hue. The modern response is now “don’t tell me what to do, I am my own person, I and I alone dictate my own life and therefore my own sense of freedom.” It is sobering to see how, in human nature, when something we don’t like or when we are confronted with something that doesn’t work, we think the solution is the extreme opposite of it. (this will be a whole other essay topic) When the Bible always comes back to the concept of ‘both ands’. But I digress. 

So today we want to be free, even the way I use the word here in this sentence is the modern definition. Free from the confines of society, family, culture, etc. But the glaring irony is freedom cannot come without a set of rules. So instead of trying to get away from everything, maybe we should start seeking what the ‘right’ set of rules are and maybe only then can I pursuit of freedom truly begin.

The Bible says we were made in the image of God. If we believe that God created or engineered us wouldn’t it be safe to assume he knows how we should be functioning? Keller uses this example of a car or a home appliance. When we purchase an item we take great care in heeding the caution notes of our user manual. Why? Because we don’t want to destroy our appliance or vehicle. We learn to use it within the confines of what the engineer has created it to do. Why would it be any different for us and God? I like what Keller says, it’s not like God created us then decided, "hmm I need rules now so I’ll just fabricate some...How about the rule of forgiveness: you should always forgive no matter what happens to you. That’s a good rule." No, Keller says, that rule is created because of the way our hearts were created. God knows what our society is built upon, he know the human heart and how it functions, because he made it that way. Therefore, he knows the limitations and how best it[we] can grow and heal.

I am reminded of when Jesus says, “come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest, Take my yoke for it is light” Notice how his solution of giving rest is not I will clear away all things from you. His solution is take your yoke off, burden or the thing that controls you (a yoke being the large wooden bar that hangs over an Ox’s shoulders in order for the farmer to direct the Ox when plowing fields) and take mine. Not, I will take away all yokes and then you can be free. Remember, God who created our hearts knows how it is to truly function, therefore his solution is take my yoke. Allow me to dictate the rules and regulations of your heart, For the Lord is good. “You who are evil would you give your child a stone when he asks for bread, how much more then the Father in heaven will give you when you ask.” 

Why wouldn’t one, when given the choice, choose to follow God's principles for us, over what the ideas/ways/philosophies of the world proclaim. I cannot get myself to submit to the secular idea of “your life is up to you. You make it happen.” Or the famous line from Back to the Future, “your future is whatever you make of it, so make it a good one.” Sounds nice on the surface, but when you take the time to unpack that, it is a scary thought. And it sets way too much pressure on oneself. When I speak with recent college grads, in my mentor group, more often than not they share how they are paralyzed when making life decisions due to the potential ramifications of their choices. This is because they are living from the above mentioned concept, “It’s up to you.” Juxtaposed to the secular idea, the Biblical one is, come to the God who created you, who knows your heart, what you need, and what you're capable of, He will direct you, guide you, protect you.

Submit to his yoke and you will find true rest and freedom.