Free to be Slaves
As a nation and a people, we place a very high value on freedom and self- determination. And well we should. Governments should, indeed, strive for freedom for their people. Of course, freedom is never absolute because my freedoms may impact the freedoms of others.
My freedom to drink and drive impinges on the safety of others, so we agree, as a society, that we should all give up that freedom so that one person’s freedom does not unduly impinge on the freedom of another. This is a delicate balance and should be a subject of constant debate and challenge within our society.
As a Christian, by contrast, we are called to give up our freedom and prerogatives. Paul often speaks of himself as a “slave” or “servant” of Christ, and encourages us to do the same.
Not only that, but he suggests that we are to be servants one of another becuase of Jesus’ love for us and our love for Him.
“For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them . . . I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:19, 22b; click here for entire passage)
As a Christian, then, we work for freedom and self determination in relation to government and societies, so that we are free to become slaves to Christ and to one another!
This column appeared in the February 4, 2018 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.
If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for the current eNews.
