I’ve recently been dwelling on what does it mean to be free? And there are so many aspects to this idea of freedom:

• Emotional freedom: what emotional baggage am I carrying with me that I need to let go of? Do I feel free to express my emotions and acknowledge what I’m feeling, or do I bottle everything up and avoid my emotions?
• Relationships: Does freedom mean that I have no responsibility in relationships? Or does it give me freedom of choice in who I cultivate relationships with and how much effort I put into my relationships? Am I free to end a relationship or have boundaries so that others know that I can’t be walked over?
• Financial freedom: What would it mean to you to be financially free? Would financial freedom mean being rich? Or are rich people equally slaves of money?
• Freedom of thought and Mental freedom: Is my mind clear and able to focus on what I want to focus on? Am I plagued by my own thoughts and mental demons?
  • Viewed from another perspective: Am I free to have my own thoughts and opinions? Or does someone else control my way of thinking?
• Physical freedom: Is my body and health in top shape so that I can enjoy the freedom of movement and enjoy life?
  • Physical freedom might also be related to slavery – whether this refers to being an actual slave and controlled by another person or whether this is simply addiction.
• Spiritual freedom: what does this look like and feel like for you?
• Freedom to act: What or who governs my actions? Am I free to choose how I behave in life?
• Freedom of speech: Can I say what I want and what I’m thinking?
• Time freedom: Who controls my time and how I spend it?

So, today, I want to have a quick look at how the Bible talks about freedom. 

The first verse I want to consider comes from the Revised Common Lectionary for Transfiguration Sunday.

2 Corinthians 3: 17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Freedom in the Old Testament:

Isaiah 61: 1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed and commissioned me To bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives And freedom to prisoners. (Amplified Bible)

And we read in Psalms 119: 45

I have gained perfect freedom by following your teachings (Contemporary English Version)

Most of the Old Testament, when it speaks to freedom and liberty is about literal slaves and setting free the captives. Of course, some of the references can be read metaphorically to spiritual captivity.

Freedom in the New Testament:

Most of the verses about freedom we find in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistles. 

John 8: 32

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

What is the truth that you need to accept and know in your heart and mind today in order to gain freedom?

Let’s start by looking at those of 2 Corinthians 3, as there are a few that I want to highlight. 

2 Corinthians 3:6

He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.

1 Corinthians 6: 12, 19-20

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. (NLT)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (ESV)

And then again, in 1 Corinthians 10: 23

All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. (Amplified Bible)

Galatians 5:1, 13-14

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 8: 2

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (ESV)

Romans 13: 8

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

James 1: 25

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Amplified Bible)

And going back to where we started:

2 Corinthians 3:17

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NLT)