When I grew up, I was pretty much a fan of the Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Animals, and Chad & Jeremy. I never really cared for the junk band, *Rolling Stones.* During my first year of college, the Stones recorded a song called, *I*m Free.* The lyrics on this masthead are from that song. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. What*s so interesting is that I didn*t realize until recently that the words form the background to a popular commercial * the Chase Freedom Credit Card. It features a butterfly, freely flying through the air and saying, *Introducing Chase Freedom. It feels like no other credit care in the world, and it works like no other credit care too. Feel free to choose cash back, and then change the points, and then change again, all with the same card and without losing a thing. That*s freedom, Chase Freedom. Get it free at Chase.com/Freedom.* *

Then in the background you can hear the voice of Mick Jagger singing these words: *I*m free to do what I want any old time* So love me, hold me, love me, hold me, I*m free any old time to get what I want.* Our nation celebrates its birthday again this July. Christians also celebrate the saying from Jesus Christ, *So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.* That*s true freedom. Does it mean (as Mick Jagger suggests) that we*re free to do whatever we want any old time? What*s the difference between Mick Jagger*s kind of freedom and the freedom Christ speaks? Does being a Christian give me the freedom to do as I please? Freedom is expressed I many ways and oftentimes means different things to different people. It may be personal or social in nature, or it may have social, economic, political, financial, or spiritual overtones
Remember *Dallas*? One episode featured JR and Sue Ellen*s divorce in which her financial advisor assured her that she was worth $4 million in her own right, and could declare financial independence from JR. That*s personal, financial independence. Political freedom is a reality when a people gain independence from another country, when a territory or colony becomes its own nation. It*s no longer under foreign rule. For our country, that happened in 1776 when our nation*s forefathers declared their independence from King George III. Social freedom is more personal in nature. It grants a person*s right to speak, act, and think without arbitrary restrictions. Freedom oftentimes is synonymous with liberty, independence and emancipation.
The Bible*s expression of freedom, especially in the New Testament, has political roots and was oftentimes misunderstood by the Church*s leadership. Israel and Judah sought to overthrow political tyranny from numerous foreign oppressors * Egypt, Syria, Babylon, Assyria, Persia and Rome to name a few. Yet the heart of the message of freedom in the New Testament * as ascribed by Christ * is a spiritual freedom not found anywhere else.
Due to the efforts and ministry of William Wiberforce, on August 1, 1863, the British Slavery Act of 1833 went into effect, freeing all the slaves in all of the British Empire. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared that all* *slaves in states or parts of states then in arms against the Union should be then, then forward and be forever free.*
While just like the Pharisees who protested to Jesus, we too might be tempted to boldly and proudly proclaim, *We are Abraham*s descendents and have never been slaves of anyone.* The freedom Jesus meant, however, was the slavery of our human nature to sin. Furthermore, Jesus knew, historically, that the Israelites and Jewish people had a long history of being enslaved; and at the moment the Pharisees were speaking with Him, they were enslaved as a people under the rule and conditions of a Roman Caesar.
We*re not politically or sociologically slaves to anyone in this day and age if we live in America. But, we must confess with King David from years ago, *I have been sinful even from my birth. A sinner when my mother conceived me.* (Psalm 51) With St Paul, we daily confess, *For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.* True freedom * in a spiritual sense * lasting freedom from all tyranny can only come by God*s grace through Jesus Christ. *Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.* Romans 6:23ff says, *For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.* Jesus frees us, liberates us, emancipated us by His death and resurrection for our sake. Only He can set us truly free.
Everyone needs that liberation from sin. God*s only begotten Son is the only One who can set us free from the slavery of sin and death, and their paralyzing effects on the perfect life intended for us. The Bible declares, *If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is gracious and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.* (I John 1)
Spiritual freedom is a paradox: God*s grace in Christ frees us from the slavery of sin and death; but nowhere does Jesus say we are without another Master. The Holy Spirit frees us from the slavery of sin and Satan so we can change to a new Master. *Live as free people. But do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Live as servants of God.* (I Peter 2:16) There is no license to sin when Christ makes us free, or **do whatever I want any old time.*

Dorothea Day wrote the following poem:
Out of the night that dazzles me
Bright as the Sun from pole to pole,
I thank Almighty God I know to be
For Christ, the conqueror for my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstances,
I would not wince nor cry aloud.
Under that rule which we call chance
My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears
That life with Him! And His aid,
Despite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and shall keep me unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate,
He cleared from punishment the scroll.
Christ is the Master of my fate
Christ is the Captain of my soul.

Your servant in Christ
Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola