God revealed of Jesus in Isaiah 42: 6-7, I (the Lord) will keep you and make you to be a covenant to the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. By this mandate, Isaiah 49: 9 said, say to the captives, ‘Come out; and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’. This is freedom from spiritual captivity, bondage, and affliction of our souls in sin which manifests variously in sicknesses, poverty, failures, and setbacks.
The nature of our freedom
Jesus’ freedom does not stand in vacuum. It comes with responsibility; and must be exercised responsibly. This therefore calls for accountability. Romans 14: 12 says, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. To exercise freedom effectively, God has complimented it with his infinite grace to it wherefore he said in 2Corinthians 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, God does not subscribe to reckless exercise of freedom as many think or do.
So, Paul asked in Romans 6: 1-2, shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Don’t let God’s grace be in vain. We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Paul cautioned against the abuse of grace in Hebrews 12: 15, see to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Abuse of God’s grace is irresponsible freedom that leads to eternal death and we must avoid it.
What is responsible freedom?
However, responsible freedom means living a righteous life in Christ Jesus. 1John 2: 24 says, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. This is the measure of responsible freedom in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. What righteousness is found in scripture as Romans 1: 17 says, in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”
In exercising freedom responsibly, Hebrews 10: 24 says, let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Freedom must not be offensive to God nor others, but to their benefit. Jesus said in Matthew 5: 16, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. How we exercise freedom will be audited by God for Deuteronomy 18: 19 says, I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.
God will audit our freedom
Based on this, Job said in Job 31: 37, I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler. Paul also said in Romans 14: 12, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Peter, concurring, said in 1Peter 4: 4-5, they are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Any living contrary to the word of God is exercising freedom irresponsibly.
Reflection
Jesus said in John 5: 24, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. This is a call to obedience and reverence for God as responsible freedom in Christ Jesus. Have we been responsible with the freedom God has given to us? Will we be qualified by our deeds after Jesus’ audit of our freedoms?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, by your Holy Spirit, lead us to be responsible in exercising the freedom which you have given to us through your blood knowing that we will account for it one day. Teach us to be mindful of your abounding grace and to avoid wasting it by which we stand in faith as free people in you. We thank you for setting us free as captive from sin, evil and darkness into your marvelous light. Mercifully accept our prayer in your blessed holy name, Amen!!
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