Not so free, freedom

Josh Barker
Dec 30, 2019
3 min read

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Freedom. Something we quite often take for granted. Freedom to live, freedom to choose, freedom to express our faith. Today, as we fast approach a new year, I wonder how much you take your freedom for granted?

In recent years, I have become increasingly aware of and concerned about the levels of persecution being faced by the Christian church. The US charity, Open Doors, estimated that in 2018 alone, over 245 million Christians were living in places where they experienced high levels of persecution. To put that into context, the whole of the UK population is only 66.4 million, so that is just less than 4 times the amount of all those living in the UK. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) found that Christians in Burma, the Central African Republic, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam face the highest levels of persecution. According to a USCIRF commissioner, "Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world," and they expect that the persecution is only going to intensify.

In the past, I have met such 'religious refugees' who have fled their home nation and many times there family in fear of their lives. I just don't think we always appreciate the freedom we have to practice our faith openly without repercussions, yes we might be laughed at, or heckled on the street but this is nothing in comparison to the life and death situation many Christians face around the world.

In Galatians, we are reminded of the freedom that God's love brings to our lives and the freedom that His grace provides. But we are also given a challenge, to not waste that gift, but rather love one another. It is important to note that this bible verse is not directly referring to the persecution of Christians. However, as active Christians, alive with the power of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, in a nation where we are free to get down on our knees and pray into the situations around the world - we should do just that. You see, the freedom the bible talks about is free to all who call on His name, but just because they are free from sin does not mean they are free from earthly persecution. All you have to do is look at the early church to see that nothing has changed, but where people prayed, works of God occurred and the soul-saving message of Jesus Christ spread to all corners of the world.

On the 8th January 2017, my brother and I gave our lives anew to God and the will He has for our lives by working through The Salvation Army. One of the songs at our enrolment as soldiers was the song below - One Life to Live. As you reflect on a year gone by and the year that is to come, listen to the words of this beautiful song and think - am I doing all I can with the freedom I have to worship Him?

Reflect today: How must persecuted Christians feel at this time of year, joyous of the birth of Christ, or petrified for their lives? What can you do to try and use the freedom given to you, better? How are you going to use your 'One Life' to live for Him?

Dear Lord,

I live within a world full of confusion

Where happiness is nothing but illusion

Attractions that deceive

In what can I believe

I’m tossed about by every wind that blows

One live to live, Oh may I live for thee

Give me your spirit And I shall be free

Free from desire My own way to pursue

Free to obey your will My whole life through*

Amen