Freedom

Sunday's sermon - Galatians 5:1, 13-25

It’s no secret that we’re approaching a big national holiday, the 4th of July. There are bound to be gatherings and fireworks, but I’d like to take the next few minutes to talk about a word all of us often use without thinking about the true meaning. The word I’m referring to is freedom. Take 30 seconds or so to think about what this word means. Also think about this question: What is absolute freedom?

My first impulse is to negatively define freedom. My first thoughts are absolute freedom is freedom from tyranny, from being told what to do, freedom from my car payment and student loans would be true freedom, and of course I’d be free to do whatever I want. Absolute freedom would mean that I am free from all laws imposed on me by the U.S. government and I would not be indebted to anyone or anything.

These thoughts of absolute freedoms are incredibly individualistic, selfish and negative. I essentially asserted that freedom from everything defines freedom.

I’d like to offer another way to look at freedom, that is, freedom to. In this case, freedom is defined by what it is instead of what it is not. I am free to worship this Sunday. I am free to live in the covenant of marriage and I am free to gather with my friends on Tuesday night for a fireworks display.

When defining freedom as “freedom to” the connotation changes. Instead of choosing something over another, becoming bondage, or something that impedes my freedom, the opportunity to live into a choice becomes freedom. Freedom is the freedom to act, the freedom to live and freedom to love. The definition changes drastically.

In 1 Kings, Galatians and Luke all the folks that were called to follow were free to follow. In the letter to the Galatians Paul certainly understands freedom when he writes; “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… You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

“Freedom to” is the lens with which Paul is writing.

Craig Koester puts it, “According to Paul, true freedom is precisely the foundation for community, because it means freedom from sin as well as from law. Community is destroyed not by freedom, but by bondage to the desires of the flesh. True freedom is produced by the Holy Spirit; it is expressed in love for the neighbor and in the joy, peace, patience [and so on] which build up the community. Such love is impossible precisely for those held captive by the flesh.”

True freedom is only found in, and given by, God. The expression of our true freedom is in living a life where we love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s not a duty to be discharged or another law from on high – it is true freedom to love your neighbor as yourself.

One who knew freedom in Christ in such a deep and real way was Archbishop Oscar Romero. Romero was the bishop of El Salvador, a small country in Central America. He began ministry as one with conservative social and doctrinal leanings. About the time he became bishop, El Salvador saw escalating violence from death-squads against union organizers, striking workers and human rights activists.

Romero was deeply affected by the murder of his friend and colleague, Rutilio Grande, who was murdered with a young boy and an old man who were on their way to vote. In response to this murder Romero held a mass at San Salvador Cathedral where mass was celebrated with over 100 priests. It became clear that Romero had heard God calling him to love his neighbors as himself as he became a voice for the Salvadoran peasants.

As Romero lived into loving his poor neighbors as himself, brutal violence continued to escalate, 4 priests and hundreds of church workers were assassinated. Romero himself was assassinated for his words and actions on behalf of his neighbors. Two weeks before his assassination Romero stated, "If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people." Romero also was compelled to speak directly to soldiers and policemen saying, “Brothers, you are from the same people; you kill your fellow peasants…no soldier is obliged to obey an order that is contrary to the will of God…In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people, I ask you – I implore you – I command you in the name of God: stop the repression!” The next evening, while presiding at a funeral mass, Romero was murdered as he held the cup for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Today Romero’s memory, generosity and love for his neighbor continue to live in the Salvadoran people and many throughout the world. He was a man freed by the gospel for the sake of loving his neighbor unto death.

You and I might never love our neighbor unto death, but rest assured that we are free to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is only in the freedom of the risen Lord that we truly are free and we will only ever love our neighbor as ourselves as an expression of the perfect love of God in Christ.