Freedom - The Awesome Responsibility of Christians in a World of Shifting Norms
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
In every generation, the concept of freedom occupies center stage in political debates, personal ambitions, and national identities. From the emancipation of slaves to the declarations of independence, from civil rights marches to global conversations about autonomy and human dignity — freedom remains a timeless and universal longing of the human soul. And yet, as the world progresses and norms shift, what it truly means to be free has become increasingly complex, and in some cases, dangerously distorted.
In today’s world, freedom is often equated with the absence of restriction—the right to do as one pleases, to chart one’s own course without interference, and to pursue personal desires without boundaries. This modern notion, celebrated especially in Western societies, ties freedom closely to personal autonomy: freedom of speech, of expression, of love, of identity, and of wealth accumulation. The digital age has amplified these liberties, granting access to limitless information, instant communication, and global opportunity. Yet, despite this expansion, it has not yielded greater happiness, peace, or security. When freedom is detached from truth, responsibility, and moral anchoring, it becomes not only fragile but also potentially destructive. Scripture reminds us that true freedom is far deeper than this illusion—it is not merely about breaking chains, but about who or what we serve once the chains are gone.
In fact, the opposite is often true. Anxiety, depression, addiction, and loneliness are on the rise globally. Many who claim to be free find themselves trapped in cycles of comparison, materialism, and emotional instability. Young people struggle under the weight of having to create their own meaning in a world where absolute truth is increasingly rejected. Rates of anxiety and depression have surged dramatically, with global increases of up to 63% among young adults. At the same time, addiction rates have climbed sharply, and loneliness now affects nearly 50% of adults, with a growing number reporting daily feelings of isolation. Freedom without boundaries has become a new kind of slavery.
Jamaica, like many nations, embodies this paradox. Politically, it is free. The shackles of colonialism have allegedly been broken for 63 years. Civil liberties have been enshrined in law. Cultural expression flourishes on the global stage. Yet many Jamaicans live daily with the heavy burdens of poverty, crime, violence, corruption, and inequality. Are you free to leave your doors and windows open at 5:00 a.m.? The country may be independent, but countless citizens remain imprisoned by forces that no constitution can liberate: greed, hatred, addiction, spiritual emptiness, and moral decay - modern day slavery.
While physical slavery may seem like a relic of the past, modern-day slavery is very real and alarmingly widespread. According to the Global Slavery Index, over 50 million people worldwide live in conditions of forced labor, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and child servitude. These are not abstract statistics; these are men, women, and children trapped in inhumane systems driven by greed, power, and evil.
Even beyond the physical, millions more are enslaved spiritually. People remain in bondage to sin, addiction, consumerism, pornography, pride, and unforgiveness. These chains are no less devastating than iron shackles. They erode relationships, destroy families, cripple communities, and sever people from the peace that only God can give.
Jesus addressed this directly, as recounted in John 8:34, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” He was speaking to a group of Jews, some of whom had just expressed belief in Him, while others were challenging His authority. The conversation began with Jesus offering them true freedom: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31- 32). His audience objected, claiming that as descendants of Abraham, they were never slaves and therefore did not need to be set free. Jesus responded by clarifying that He was not speaking of political or physical slavery, but of spiritual bondage. The greatest captivity is not physical but spiritual. And because of that, the greatest freedom is not political but redemptive.
The awesome responsibility of freedom for the believer is that it is both a gift and a charge. It is the awesome responsibility of living rightly before God and others. Those who claim to love the Lord are entrusted with this sacred stewardship. The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians, offers a profound warning and exhortation: “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in
love.” (Galatians 5:13). Freedom is not an escape from responsibility; it is the embrace of it.
There are at least three major responsibilities of the truly free:
The Responsibility to Live Holy Lives
The Responsibility to Serve
The Responsibility to Proclaim the Gospel
In this era of shifting norms and growing confusion, the Church must rise as both a beacon and a bastion of true freedom. This requires courage. It means speaking unpopular truths, defending righteousness, and resisting cultural pressures to compromise. It also means demonstrating freedom through compassionate service, holy living, and the bold proclamation of the gospel. The Church has both the opportunity and the mandate to lead. The problems of violence, corruption, broken families, and lost youth cannot be solved by governments alone. These are spiritual battles that demand spiritual solutions — and that begins with a people who understand what it means to be truly free.
Freedom is one of God’s greatest gifts, but it also grants us one of His most awesome responsibilities. It is not simply the breaking of chains but the empowerment to live rightly, serve others, and proclaim His truth. As modern norms shift and the world debates what freedom means, the gospel remains unchanging. True freedom begins at the cross and is sustained by obedience, love, and mission.
The world does not need more empty declarations of freedom. It needs hearts that have been truly set free, and lives that demonstrate the beauty, power, and responsibility of that freedom. Only then will families heal, nations prosper, and God be glorified.
Amen.
Deacon Douglas Levermore