“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm…and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom…only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5:1,13, NRSV)

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So, which is it, Paul? Are we free? Or, are we slaves? What am I missing here? We spend a lot of time talking about freedom these days. Freedom, or its preservation, is heralded as the good intention and motivation from both - every - side of the aisle. Freedom is to be both wildly defended and more obtained. The motives for maintaining or encroaching upon freedom are weaponized and scrutinized at nearly every political, economic, legal, and social turn. Freedom is to be both wildly defended and more obtained.

 

Collectively, we place a high value on freedom, we even prioritize it in our clothing. Our “freedom stretch fabric” ensures that we are not bound up, hemmed in, or compromising our own comfort...right down to our undies and our socks.

 

But sometimes it seems we misuse and denigrate the term, freedom. Secularly, it often implies a high degree of self-oriented individuality; “freedom” in our daily use of the word tends to consider self before considering other.

 

Still, it’s easy to get behind Paul’s initial call to freedom, isn’t it? We are unfettered, liberated and unyoked from the slavery that is the burden of sin and death. Claim this freedom! We are redeemed and set free! There is great rejoicing at the foot of the cross and at the threshold of the empty tomb.

 

But, what are we to do with this freedom as Christians? What are we freed and liberated to do? We are freed and liberated to live our lives in the Spirit.

 

We are freed from self-indulgence and self-centeredness.

 

We are liberated from our own self-destruction.

We are freed to liberally and effusively live the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

In the greatest of cosmic ironies, we are liberated to BE yoked and bound. We are free in Christ to do good things. We are free to be agents of reconciliation and love. We are free to place ourselves squarely in the breaches where we perceive the loss of another’s dignity, injustices, and abject oppression.

 

We are freed...to love those who do not love us. We are even liberated to the ultimate freedom of loving our enemies.

 

We are free...to BE yoked and bound, tethered and tied, chained and fettered... singularly...to LOVE.

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Rev. Iva Joyce-Miesse
Associate Rector
Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square in Columbus