REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

I’m free to do what I want any old time.

So sang Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones’ 1965 album, Out of Our Heads. Even though that was nearly 60 years ago, that vision of freedom is still very much the spirit of the age. We long for freedom, and the idea of being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want, sure sounds like freedom to me!

And yet, as usual, the Bible’s message is very different. In fact, the Rolling Stones’ freedom is a recipe for slavery. Listen to what Jesus said:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)

Sin means living for yourself instead of for God; and that doesn’t lead to freedom. Saying, “I’m free to do what I want any old time” sounds bold and brash and inspiring, but it’s morally bankrupt. It simply isn’t true that we are free in that childish, selfish sense – we all have responsibilities to other people in our lives. The Rolling Stones version of freedom leaves you trapped in a pattern of ugly self-centredness, and those around you will suffer for it.

Jesus makes a far bolder claim: that he is the only one who can give us true freedom. In fact, anyone who has put their faith in Jesus as Lord is truly free.

But if that’s the case, you might be wondering: Why is it that the Christian life so often doesn’t feel like freedom? It’s because of what freedom really means. Freedom isn’t being able to do what I want. It’s being able to do what Godwants. Freedom is the ability to obey God, to live a life of practical holiness.

But the way to take hold of that true freedom in Jesus is not to kick back and relax. It’s to strive with all your effort against sin, the world, and the devil. And the reason for that is not because practical holiness relies on what I can do. It’s because all of holiness is a gift of God’s grace.

2 Peter 1 beautifully illustrates that shape of Christian freedom. In verses 3-4, Peter tells us where the power for obedience in the Christian life comes from:

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

If you trust in Christ, you have everything you need for a life of practical holiness and obedience. But the source of that new ability is not anything in you. It comes from God’s “divine power”, “his own glory and goodness”, and “his very great and precious promises.”

Does that mean obeying God should be easy? Not at all – because as we saw yesterday, that power which continually flows from God is at war with our sin-riddled natural selves. So Peter continues:

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Notice Peter’s logic: “For this very reason” – that is, because the power to obey comes from God, not from within us – make every effort to live out your faith in goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.

I find that immensely helpful for my expectations about the Christian life. We should expect that holiness of life will be a titanic struggle. But it’s not a hopeless struggle. It’s not a struggle fuelled by fear or desperation. It’s a struggle that’s powered by the assurance, comfort, forgiveness, and joy of knowing God’s power and his unconditional love for you in Jesus. You can know the struggle is not in vain – trust God to finish the work he began in you (Phil. 1:6).

The true freedom that Jesus gives sings a far more beautiful song: “I’m free to do what God wants, by his grace and power.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.