This reflection by CJ Green originally appeared in Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2:
“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1).
In late 2019, according to the United Nations, there were over forty million people entrapped in what is called modern-day slavery. Such individuals may be subjected to debt bondage, forced labor, forced prostitution and marriage, and other forms of brutal exploitation. These figures are completely dismaying. They should cause anyone to doubt their faith in the good nature of humanity. They should cause us to kneel in prayer, because if you are a Christian, you believe that human beings are meant to be free.
But we need not look too far to find the forces of subjugation at work. In his novel The Fall, Albert Camus remarks, “Every man needs slaves like he needs clean air. To rule is to breathe, is it not?” Even the most destitute among us, Camus says, will attempt to subjugate our children, spouses, and close loved ones, perhaps even ourselves. A bleak perspective, you might say, but I think he’s right. We attempt to impose order by domination, bossing people around, and letting ourselves get bossed around.
What are you enslaved to? Maybe there is some addiction, or a relationship, or an ex-relationship that has crippling power over your better senses. Maybe the voice of a demanding parent speaks loudly in your head. Maybe you are enslaved to money, work, to the dream of one day being “successful.” Maybe you are enslaved to a fantasy of yourself.
Freedom in the most basic sense means you can do what you want. And if you’re anything like me, that sounds scary as hell. We might prefer to stay subservient, under the thumb of guilt, obligation, and a fantasy world, because despite its misery, it feels safer.
Hear, then, Paul’s command: Do not give in. Remember that God loves your actual self and is not the voice of demand in your head. You do not need to atone for your sins. Christ already did that. You do not need to be a hotshot. You do not need to dominate anything or anyone, not even yourself. You need only God in Christ, who has hidden you safely within Himself to set you free. Do not give in. Enjoy your freedom. St. Augustine said it best: “Love, and do as you will.”
