True Liberty

Liberty is defined as the power to act as one pleases. It is a state of independence, of autonomy, of being free from restrictions, and of having the right to self-determination. Liberty may be defined in different ways when speaking of it politically, philosophically, or religiously. Some may define liberty as the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want, with whomever they want! But most of us realize that true and lasting liberty comes with moral and ethical restrictions.

Though the United States Declaration of Independence set forth the principle, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” American Founding Father Patrick Henry himself (famed for his defiant statement, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”) set ethical boundaries: “The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion” (“Letter to Archibald Blair,” January 8, 1799).

Human behavior must be governed. Laws or rules addressing a nation, city, team, family unit, or individual impose legal restrictions. Football teams must observe boundaries and rules, which referees enforce. Penalties are issued when rules are violated.

In the home, parents have the right and obligation to restrict liberty for the protection and well-being of their children. A city government restricts the movement of traffic on its streets for the safety of its citizens. A nation establishes laws to protect its citizens. Without these restrictions, there would be anarchy. Great harm results from immature, inattentive, or outright foolish and unethical behavior.

Liberty with restrictions may sound like an oxymoron, which is a figure of speech pairing two mutually exclusive ideas together. But in reality, the concept of liberty must include restrictions.

Consider the philosophic perspective. The ancient Roman philosopher Cicero said, “Liberty consists in the power of doing that which is permitted by the law.” English writer Sir Walter Raleigh said, “Men well governed should seek after no other liberty, for there can be no greater liberty than a good government.” Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw said, “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” Stoic philosopher Seneca (the Younger) said, “No man is free who is a slave to the flesh.” Their statements recognize that liberty comes with restrictions by law, government, and personal responsibility.

Now consider the biblical perspective. The Epistle of James tells us that “whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:10–12). The law of liberty? Yes! Obedience to God’s law results in liberty! Obeying the law against murder makes one free from the consequences of murder, which is also true of laws against stealing, lying, or adultery.

The Apostle Peter warns of deceptive teachers and their false doctrines. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). False teachers promise freedom using deceptive words (v. 3), but teaching a way which actually brings one into bondage through consequences of wrong actions (“destructive ways,” v. 2).

When Jesus began His ministry, He “opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives’” (Luke 4:17–18).

We have all been captives of the consequences of our wrong actions. But we can have the true liberty proclaimed by Jesus Christ if we follow Him. Even now, in an age where liberty has almost completely been replaced with licentiousness leading only to suffering, unrest, and the loss of peace of mind and trust, isn’t it more important than ever to consider the freedom He offers?

To learn more about the way to true liberty, read or order the free booklet What is a True Christian? and watch the Tomorrow’s World telecasts “What is Freedom?” and “What Is the Gospel Jesus Preached?”