How important is freedom? John writes, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (Jn. 8:31-32, NKJV). The most important freedom man could ever have is the freedom from sin and condemnation that is found in fellowship with Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-2). Since this is true, James exhorted his fellow Christians, saying, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12).

However, to most Americans, the concept of “freedom” is very often most closely associated with the kind of political freedom that is celebrated on “Independence Day” each fourth of July. This type of freedom has to do with the liberty to live one’s life as he pleases within certain boundaries set by the civil authorities. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly may readily come to mind as one celebrates the various freedoms that are guaranteed by the government under the U.S. Constitution’s “Bill of Rights.”

While these freedoms are important and should not be taken for granted, even these pale in comparison to the freedom found in Christ. At the same time, it should also be understood that any freedoms citizens are afforded by their government are still subordinate to the authority of Jesus Christ, “for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14). Not only is there freedom in Christ, but it is also the case that all human freedom is, in reality, under Christ.

Consider what God’s word says concerning freedom under Christ:

1. God’s word sets Jesus Christ above all human authorities. As He stood before Pontius Pilate, the powerful procurator of Judea, the Son of God informed the governor of the severe limitations of his civil authority, saying, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (Jn. 19:11a). Civil governments rule for a limited time in a limited way over a limited number of people. But Jesus Christ has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18) and is “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21). Even the greatest and most powerful kings and presidents will answer to Him in the judgment. Paul writes, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God’” (Rom. 14:10b-11). The child of God must recognize that the only freedoms one truly has are those that are given by God.

2. God’s word must be obeyed under any civil government. Civil governments often overstep the bounds of their divinely-appointed role in order to forbid that which God has enjoined, or to promote that which God has prohibited. Whose word reigns supreme in such situations? In the early days of the gospel when the Jewish authorities commanded the apostles to cease preaching in the name of Jesus, the Bible says, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29). The child of God must understand that, when confronted with the choice to either obey God or to obey the civil government, the right response is to obey God.

3. God’s word demands that civil liberty be used wisely. Those who reside in “free” nations must use their liberty wisely and for godly purposes. The apostle Peter writes, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God” (1 Pet. 2:13-16). At various times, Paul wisely took advantage of the rights his Roman citizenship afforded him in order to further the cause of Christ (cf. Acts 23:11; 25:10; Phil. 1:12-13). Rather than using his civil liberties to engage in sin, the child of God must use his freedoms to serve the Lord.

Conclusion: While God should be thanked for the blessing of civil freedoms, the freedom that is found in Christ, and the fact that all freedom is under Christ, are far greater blessings. Civil laws will change, civil rulers will come and go, and civil governments will rise and fall. But, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Have you surrendered your life to the King of kings and Lord of lords?