FreedomНамуна

True freedom requires boundaries

When we think of freedom we tend to think of absolute freedom. No restrictions. Nothing to limit or hold back. Free from everything. But in reality, when is freedom ever absolute? Indeed, why should it be? While we might love the idea of having no boundaries at all, imagine what life would be like if that was true. What if your absolute freedom collided with mine? Could society function if we all did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, without restraint or rules?

God’s creation of the heavens and earth is so well known that we might overlook some of its finer points. For example, what’s going on when the first human is told by God what he is free to do. Those of us who reckon freedom must come with no strings attached can write off Genesis 2:15–17 as God not actually offering freedom at all.

Read it again, though. God provides freedom. The freedom to enjoy all but one thing in a perfect garden. Plus, God explains why freedom has parameters – failure to obey has consequences God does not want for humanity. He’s not being a killjoy or tyrant. God knows absolute freedom would bring the sinful stuff that destroys life.

God is not forcing adherence to His freedom framework. The ‘you are free’ declaration comes with the ability to reject God’s freedom. Is that the deadly freedom you would prefer?

Written by BEN MCEACHEN