Post by akuanaia on Nov 13, 2005 21:18:10 GMT -5
The very concept of freedom finds its roots in the Bible in one of the most famous quotes of Jesus: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). According to this scripture, we can only be free by knowing the truth. In order to arrive at the true definition of "freedom of speech," we need to define the terms "freedom" and "truth." The basic definition of "freedom" according to Webster’s dictionary is as follows: (1.) The quality or state of being free: as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.1 Freedom involves a choice.
Man - A Free Moral Agent
The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created man as a free moral agent. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He, in His wisdom and love, gave them all they needed for a happy and fulfilled life. He also gave them a free will; however, some commands came along with it. God told them they could eat the fruit of all the trees in that garden except one. He warned them that if they ate of that tree they would die. They were allowed the freedom to choose to obey God and live forever with Him or rebel against His commands and die. All men are given the free will to choose to do good or evil. We know the fate of Adam and Eve; because they listened to the devil and disobeyed God’s instructions, they fell from their intended place of blessing and sin and death began operating in their lives. Therefore, we can see that freedom has responsibilities and consequences.
If our definition of freedom is not based on the Biblical definition, then it is not true freedom. Jesus said that the truth would set us free. Since Jesus Himself is The Truth, His words to us will free us. Bondage is the alternative to freedom. The devil brings men into bondage by tempting them to sin, being careful not to tell them that the wages of sin is death. Bondage from sin comes in many forms–addictions, stress, fear, unforgiveness, torment, etc. The only way to escape from bondage is to come to Jesus and repent of our sins and find His love and forgiveness. He then will disciple us and teach us His Word and His ways so that we will be set free from every bondage that sin brings.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:31-36).
Man - A Free Moral Agent
The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created man as a free moral agent. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He, in His wisdom and love, gave them all they needed for a happy and fulfilled life. He also gave them a free will; however, some commands came along with it. God told them they could eat the fruit of all the trees in that garden except one. He warned them that if they ate of that tree they would die. They were allowed the freedom to choose to obey God and live forever with Him or rebel against His commands and die. All men are given the free will to choose to do good or evil. We know the fate of Adam and Eve; because they listened to the devil and disobeyed God’s instructions, they fell from their intended place of blessing and sin and death began operating in their lives. Therefore, we can see that freedom has responsibilities and consequences.
If our definition of freedom is not based on the Biblical definition, then it is not true freedom. Jesus said that the truth would set us free. Since Jesus Himself is The Truth, His words to us will free us. Bondage is the alternative to freedom. The devil brings men into bondage by tempting them to sin, being careful not to tell them that the wages of sin is death. Bondage from sin comes in many forms–addictions, stress, fear, unforgiveness, torment, etc. The only way to escape from bondage is to come to Jesus and repent of our sins and find His love and forgiveness. He then will disciple us and teach us His Word and His ways so that we will be set free from every bondage that sin brings.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:31-36).