Freedom or Slavery?

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

(Galatians 5: 1, NIV)

 

When we think about such terms as "freedom" or "slavery." What comes to mind?  We usually think freedom means a license to do whatever we  like, while slavery is associated with restrictions, confinement, and bondage.  In a sense, people look at freedom and slavery as either a release or restriction associated with their present responsibilities and circumstances in life. For example: If you are a prisoner awaiting parole; no doubt you are looking forward to the day when you will be released from prison to once again enjoy freedom outside the walls and bars of prison life. If you are a teenager, you are probably looking forward to the time when you graduate from high school and are going to move away from the restraints and influences of your parents to take up residence at some dormitory, and enjoy the experience of freedom living on your own, while attending university. Then there is the restless house wife who is weary in the everyday demands of a mother of a few children. She is looking forward to the time when they grow up and leave home. Though she will miss them, she is looking forward to the freedom she will enjoy in not having to clean up after them. I'm sure many more examples could be given about freedom and slavery as it relates to every day life.  

As you can see from the three examples given above; each carries its sense of enslavement and longing for the time of escape to freedom. The question is "Freedom to what?" For each situation that we seem to think is a form of freedom carries its own set of rules and restrictions we are required to follow. Before we continue in this subject, let's take a look at the definitions to Freedom and Slavery.  

Freedom: "the quality or state of being free; independence; exemption; release; unrestricted use; a political right."

Slavery: "a condition of being a slave; the practice of owning slaves." 

It is interesting to note in Scripture that the Apostle Paul referred to himself as a "bond slave" or "servant" of the Lord Jesus Christ. (To be Continued...)