Introduction
The central figure in the movie Braveheart is William Wallace, portrayed with fierce conviction by Mel Gibson. Wallace, a valiant Scottish warrior, rose to lead his people in rebellion against the tyranny of King Edward I during the First War of Scottish Independence. As he faced death, his final cry—“Freedom!”—reverberated through the hills of Scotland. It was not merely a dying word but a triumphant declaration, a cry that transcended his mortal end. That single word became both his final victory and a timeless summons—a call for liberty that echoed far beyond Scotland’s borders, stirring the hearts of all who would dare to live free.
Definitions of Liberty and Freedom
The internet will tell you that the main difference between liberty and freedom is that liberty is the state of being free from oppressive restrictions or control imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views, while freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants. For reference, click here.
We should not adhere to these definitions if we truly call ourselves Christians. Believers can not think or behave as they want but must always tether themselves to God’s Word, believing and doing its principles. The truth of Freedom and Liberty lies in God’s own words:
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 ESV
Truth, liberty, freedom, and love must walk together if true happiness is ever to dwell among mankind. Yet, will such harmony fully come to pass? No, not until the return of our Lord. Still, we are called to live daily by His Word, for only through it can we taste even a shadow of true freedom. For believers, freedom, liberty, and love are not gifts the world can give, but inward realities born of the Spirit—personal sanctuaries untouched by the world’s hollow imitations.
Freedom is a concept that is appealing to all; however, we must ask ourselves, by what standards are we free? Let’s find out.
Freedom
To be free and freedom are two different concepts that are often used interchangeably, but in fact their meanings are different. To be free usually refers to a state of not being constrained or hindered by any authority. Freedom, however, is a much broader concept and often implies cost, responsibility, rights, and liberties. But even this has its quirks. These decisions on what encompasses freedom are often based on one’s own realization of values and beliefs. There is no benchmark of truth. That which one only what thinks in his own mind becomes a standard. Of course, this varies per individual. It’s like saying “I am a good person”. But then you must ask, “By what standard are you good?” Hence, as Christians, we must revert to the only source of truth – the Bible.
Herein we have another enigma. Though the words of God, in the Bible, are true, they are not understood by all.
“…even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17 ESV
By this, we can understand the reasoning behind the misunderstanding of Freedom in the world we live in today. There is no hate in freedom. There is no violence in freedom. There is only truth and love; there is only one standard for truth and love. Freedom of this nature can only be divinely understood and can only be divinely achieved.
In studying and researching for this paper, I looked up the definition of freedom. I found many, but none seemed to hit the mark more eloquently than that found in the Bible.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
The Beginning
When trying to understand anything, and when you are confused, always go back to the beginning. In the beginning. In this case, let us go back to the beginning of all things created, where there was freedom, and it is through mankind that this freedom became corrupt.
“…that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21 ESV
From this beginning to the present, mankind has been enslaved and has been searching for freedom. This search has historically been through power and knowledge. The more knowledge one has, the more power he has. History, however, has proven this wrong. Again, from the beginning of time, mankind sought freedom in Religion – some kind of worship of a deity. These deities, however, were and are man-made. The standard concept of a deity was, and often still is, man’s concept of god. Among many who call themselves Christians, this is still true. There are thousands of Religions in this world. Each professing to have the truth. Look at all the denominations within Christianity itself and see if this is not so. Instead of leaving control in God’s hands, man has taken control of God and how we should view Him. All this leads us into further bondage.
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19 ESV
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 ESV
When will man look to a personal God as Abraham did? He initially worshiped idols but was able to reason, without the aid of a Priest, that there is only one God and that his only responsibility was to have a relationship with Him and serve Him alone.
The Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment, sometimes referred to as the Age of Reason was a period in the history of Europe and Western civilization during which the Enlightenment and intellectual and cultural movement, flourished, emerging in the late 17th century and reaching its peak in the 18th century, as its ideas spread more widely across Europe and into the European colonies, particularly in the Americas. (For reference, click here.). From this movement, we often refer to the works of John Locke and John Stewart Mills.
John Locke, a seminal voice of the Enlightenment, asserted that every individual is endowed with natural rights—life, liberty, and property. These rights, he maintained, exist before any government and cannot be taken away without just cause. His philosophy profoundly shaped modern thought and the foundations of democratic society.
Yet, as the Enlightenment unfolded, thinkers such as John Stuart Mill expanded this idea, emphasizing that personal liberty serves as the engine of human progress and societal well-being. Mill argued that a community thrives when its people are free to think, speak, and act according to their own conscience in pursuit of happiness and personal fulfillment.
But herein lies the paradox: the pursuit of “one’s own happiness and development” can easily become a subtle echo of that haunting refrain found throughout the Old Testament—“every man did what was right in his own eyes.” When liberty is severed from divine truth, self-determination becomes self-deception. A freedom untethered from God inevitably collides with the freedom of others. True liberty, then, is not found in doing as we please, but in aligning our will with the eternal standard of the One who grants freedom in the first place.
In saying these things, I believe we must be cautious not to give blanket approval to the great figures of history whom we admire. Their intellect, courage, and influence may have shaped the modern world, yet admiration must never eclipse discernment. Before embracing their ideas, we must measure them against the one infallible standard—the Word of God. For though many have spoken with wisdom, only Scripture stands as the eternal bastion of truth.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Bondage
How can one speak of freedom without first acknowledging bondage—its true opposite? Yet, like freedom, bondage is not what most people imagine it to be.
In previous writings, I’ve declared that I have driven a stake deep into the Word of God and chained myself to it. I will not be moved, regardless of circumstance or persuasion. Many see this as bondage—and they are not wrong. But the question remains: What kind of bondage is this?
Curious, I searched the word “bondage” online and was both disturbed and saddened by what I found. Nearly every definition was framed through the lens of the BDSM (Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism) subculture—describing the consensual restraint of another for sensual or aesthetic gratification. Ropes, cuffs, tapes, and bindings—symbols of pleasure masquerading as freedom. This, of course, is not the bondage to which the soul of man was ever called.
How far we have fallen. And yet, upon reflection, this is not so different from the bondage found in many of the world’s religions and systems. Whether sensual or spiritual (feel-good preaching), all false bondage shares one trait—it binds the mind. It enslaves the conscience under the illusion of liberty. It convinces the bound that they are free because they no longer need to think for themselves; others do their thinking for them. Such bondage often comes draped in robes of pleasure, power, or piety. Tyrants, dictators, and religious elites have preached this form of captivity for centuries.
But Scripture speaks of another kind of bondage—one not rooted in fear, flesh, or domination, but in love and divine surrender:
“Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)” 1 Corinthians 7:21 (ESV)
“For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 7:22 (ESV)
I am, by choice and conviction, a bondservant of Jesus Christ and His Word. The world and its systems hold no claim on me. And yet, within this sacred bondage, I have discovered true freedom—the liberty of the soul, the joy of obedience, and the eternal promise of life in His Kingdom.
This is the paradox of faith: in binding myself to Christ, I am loosed from every chain.
An Irony
Isn’t it ironic? You would think everyone would want freedom. However, it appears that many see freedom as control over others. These people never see freedom for others, only for themselves. Temporary freedom is often the concession of many. However, it was Benjamin Franklin who said, Those who give up essential liberty (Freedom) to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty (Freedom) nor safety. But we do it all the time.
There is another irony. Through Christ, we are free from the power of sin, but we will never be free from persecution, the temptations of the world, and worldly people who wish to do us harm. We only have this to stand on:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
Always measure your life by the standards of Jesus. (Here is where your freedom comes from.) Bow to his yoke and to no other, and be careful that you never fasten a yoke on someone else that isn’t placed there by Jesus Christ. It takes God a long time to cure us of the idea that if people don’t see things the way we do, they must be wrong. That is never God’s view. There is only one freedom: the freedom of Jesus at work in our conscience, enabling us to do what is right. – Oswald Chambers
Some look at this as bondage and religious rhetoric. They are among those in the world who cannot receive.
“…even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17 ESV
Conclusion
“The tyrant dies. His rule is over. The martyr dies. His rule has just begun.” Søren Kierkegaard. These words were spoken at the funeral of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a champion of freedom and the American way. He was martyred for his stand, as many of us know. His words on college campuses across the nation are continuing to bring many to Jesus Christ. However, many continue to do so “… which is right in their own mind”—ignoring Christ and only expressing their own self-importance and recognition, ignoring the need for love.
As Christians, we must, as Charlie did, continuously express truth and understanding without fear but with love. Many continue to reject the truth. It is in their nature. They may never change. Avoid them. Let them suffer their own fate. Only Christ and He crucified can change these hearts. But many will listen. It only behooves us to speak and not hold back. These words are true: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (These words are actually attributed to John Stewart Mill, and not Edmund Burke, as many think.)
Again, the LORD said to me, “A conspiracy exists among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. “Therefore, do not pray for this people (Those who refuse to listen), or lift a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. Jeremiah 11:9-10, 14
Now ask yourselves, “Are we among those who will do nothing”? Are we just to acknowledge and stand up, or are we to shout out Freedom as Mel Gibson did in his portrayal of William Wallace? Freedom through Christ should be our motto. It will never be heard unless we fearlessly speak it out. It’s our responsibility and duty to our Father. Shout Freedom!, and glorify Him.
Also, ask yourself this: “To what or whom is your mind bound?”
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
