I really cannot stomach Facebook anymore. One of the main reasons is that it breaks my heart. My heart aches for those who are flaunting slavery as if it were freedom. And I think my heart aches because I see that same error try to rear its ugly head in my own heart.

For many freedom is defined by getting to doing what you want. I have well-meaning friends that often share godless quotes, surrounded by pretty little butterflies, which exult in a terribly enslaving freedom. Things like “be yourself, and screw everyone who doesn’t like you”. As if somehow this is where true happiness is found. 

Romans 6 and Freedom

I’ve often wondered if the apostle Paul had this same error in mind when he wrote Romans 6. In Romans 5 he says a few really sweeping things like, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”

Such sweeping statements lead to questions like the one we see in Romans 6:1, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” If every sin is covered by grace then why even bother changing. To answer this accusation Paul highlights our union with Christ and how such a thing makes a definitive change.

Then he asks another interesting question in 6:15. “Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?” I’ve always found this question strange. Why would anyone argue that we should sin because we aren’t under the law but under grace? What about being under grace and not law would make someone say, “Maybe we had better sin”?

Here is what I think Paul is getting at in Romans 6:15-23. Given what Paul has said it could be argued that somehow we ought to have a lax attitude towards sin to show that we are no longer under the shackles of the Law. But what Paul says here is helpful. When you are freed from the Law by the gospel it is not as if the type of freedom that you have is the freedom to do what you want. No, you are freed from your old master so as to become a slave of the risen Christ.

True freedom then is not the ability to do whatever you want. True freedom is found in being a slave of Christ. Or in a heart that is bent on trusting God to lead in all circumstances.

True Freedom Exemplified in Newton’s Life

I believe John Newton understood this, which is why he could say things like this when facing the death of his beloved wife:

I am neither worthy nor competent to choose for myself. The Lord condescends to choose for me. I can neither pray for her stay here, nor her release; but with a reserve to his wise and holy will. (Wise Counsel, 237)

Of course Newton wanted to pray his wife would be healed and stay with him—but he also knew that the Lord always looked after his good and always knew what was best. This is the same reason he counseled a woman battling depression with these words:

“…but after all, the Lord keeps the key of comfort in his hand. Your help must come from him: though it tarry, wait for it.” (Letters, 382-83)

Jesus hold the key of comfort. This was great news for Newton because he believed the Lord always had his best interest in mind. He was convinced that true freedom was found in resting on the goodness of Jesus—not in having your own set of keys.

Consider his advice to a young man curious about how much he should help the poor now that he is married. Newton’s answer is grounded in the goodness of God. He reminds the questioner:

[The Lord] has more ways to bless and prosper those who trust in him, than we are able to point out to him. But I tell you, my friend, he will sooner make windows in heaven, turn stones into bread, yea, stop the sun in his course, than he will suffer those who conscientiously serve him, and depend upon him, to be destitute.

If the Lord provided the greatest thing—salvation—he will not be lax in providing all of the other necessities. Yes, the Lord will provide:

This is where true freedom is found.

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