-In the previous article, I ended with the statement that the Scriptures teach us about a Savior who came, died for our sins, and rose again. We can hang our lives on that truth and that Truth will set us free. But, what is freedom?
The modern definition
A Google search of the definition of freedom reveals that it is, “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint,” “the state of not being subject to or affected by,” “the power of self-determination attributed to the will,” etc. Wow! Did Jesus die so that we all could do as we please, not be subject to anyone, and determine our own futures? This doesn’t sound right.
During the GWW conference, Dr. David Lyle Jeffrey, a professor at Baylor, gave a couple of talks that will be available on line. I will address a part of his second address: Language instability and the enduring truth of the Bible. Jeffrey believes that our language is changing and, to some degree, becoming more limited. Since a person cannot contemplate or communicate what they can’t articulate, this could have serious consequences for those wishing to understand what the Bible is saying. He used “freedom” as an example.
The 14th-century definition
He told us that, in the 14th century the word “freedom” was defined as “a free spirit, the ability to be generous and self-effacing.” One could suggest that, instead of freedom meaning the ability to do as you please, only 700 years ago “freedom” meant the ability not to do as you please. Jesus lived long before the 14th century, so what did He mean when He told us that the Truth would set us free and we would be free indeed (Jn 8:32)?
The biblical definition
Fortunately, we do not need to rely on our contemporary or even the 14th-century definition of the word “freedom” to figure this out. We have the Bible. Let’s overview what Jesus tells us about freedom in John 8. There it says that, by knowing Jesus, we are free from judgment (v. 15), sin (v. 24), punishment (v.28), and being a slave to sin (v. 34-36). Pretty much, we are free from having to obey the whims of our human nature. Furthermore, if we do mess up, we are free from having to fear rejection by God and, in the long term, hell. This all makes us free from fear; we are free indeed!
That’s not all that Jesus tells us about freedom in Jn 8. The Truth will also make us free to follow Him (v. 12), hold to His teaching (v. 31), be a child of God (v. 42), obey Him (v. 51), and know the Messiah (v. 58). We are free to do what is best for us: obey Jesus and live as what we are—children of God. And, again, if we mess up, while there are consequences here on Earth, Jesus took the ultimate punishment and we are free to repent and return to the One who loved us enough to die for us. That, my friends, is real freedom.
As you see, although the news about our language and culture is bad, it’s not hopeless. While it’s tempting to take the easy route and flock to hear TV preachers and read books about the Bible rather than the Bible itself, this is not the only option. Nor, in my opinion, is it the one we should choose. The Lord has provided. The Bible message is true: the speakers at the GWW conference addressed this topic extensively. Therefore, since “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2Ti 3:16-17),” let’s not neglect to take advantage of what it offers. Let’s study the Bible.
Although this is the last of the articles about the GWW conference, it’s not the last about the Bible. Stay tuned!