We cannot underestimate the importance of freedom in our lives. Freedom is one of the top reasons Jesus came to earth: “For freedom Christ has set us free...” (Galatians 5:1).

But what does freedom mean?

What freedom isn't

• The ability to do what we want. This certainly would be freeing, but God is not calling us to do whatever we want. We can’t escape his moral law and somehow think there won’t be consequences.

• The ability to do as we ought. We are now free to do the things we were created to do. But this definition still lacks because we are gold mixed with impurities. Yes, we have the power to do as we ought, but we don’t ALWAYS do right because sin is still residing in us.

• An emotional expression during the music portion of a worship service. Freedom in this definition is raising hands, waving a flag, or singing loud. While I applaud anyone who can be uninhibited when the congregation is singing, this is a silly definition of freedom — not very compelling.

True freedom

Freedom is no longer having to obey fear; fear is no longer our master. We are uninhibited to be bold, to step out in faith, to risk. Irreligion produces fear because the weight of guilt and having to trust in yourself is too much for our fragile souls. Religion produces fear because we are afraid we haven’t done everything right; that the slightest error may restrain the hand of God’s blessing.

Enslaved by fear

Christ has set us free from fear. The importance of this cannot be overstated because fear is our biggest slave master; and here are our top 5 greatest fears (adapted from Marcus Buckingham):

1. The Fear of Death — we have a need for security
2. The Fear of Being Alone — we have a need for community
3. The Fear of the Future — we have a need for clarity
4. The Fear of Chaos — we have a need for authority
5. The Fear of Insignificance —  we have a need for respect.

Religion produces fear because we are afraid we haven’t done everything right; that the slightest error may restrain the hand of God’s blessing.

Think of how these fears guide our life! Our hearts respond to every one of these fears in different ways, and each individual responds to one fear more than others (for instance, I am more afraid of insignificance than I am of death). Our response is often driven by unbelief, which leads to captivity.

Fear in the every day

Some of us are so afraid of death we become overly obsessed about health, germs, and safety, consequently choosing who we will help based on security and not based on love.

Others of us are so afraid of insignificance any criticism feels like an attack and we lose relationships when people challenge us.

Jesus bought our freedom

Redemption from this captivity is part of Jesus’ main work. If we examine those five fears with the eyes of faith, we can see Jesus is the answer to them all:

1. He is our security, even in death, because Jesus took away condemnation in death.
2. He is our community — he promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)
3. He is our future — he controls the future and has prepared a place for us
4. He is our authority — all authority on heaven and earth is his (Matthew 28:18). He is accomplishing all things according to his plan.
5. He is our significance — Jesus alone validates and justifies our life.