Freedom of Decisions ...

Wednesday, April 18, 2012. How free are we with our decisions day by day? As soon as it gets to topics of freedom and justice, our emotions might go high quickly. But I want to pick out two points today.

How free are we? …

We live in a free country. Here, you might write and say what you want. You can travel where you want, depending on visa restrictions, of course. But at least for a brief holiday, travel is usually possible.

But freedom is limited by the facts. Freedom is limited by a lot of things. For example, in our company or institute we might plan for the future. What are the resources we can use. They are limited by many facts, and even if we have a lot to do, there might only be limited resources available. That will restrict our decisions and, thus, our freedom.

But there is another type of non-freedom. Are we able to consider all the facts? Are we able to investigate all possibilities? Often, we are limited by our past. We cannot think freely. We cannot investigate all options. They just do not come to our mind or we shift them to the side quickly.

The freedom of Christ …

When I look at the New Testament, Jesus shows a freedom which is truly astonishing. He is not bound by other people. He is not bound by the authorities. He is not even bound by many facts (like dead people or missing food).

But even more astonishing than the wonders he performs is the freedom he shows when he talks to his enemies and friends alike. He is not bound by conventions. At the same time he is friendly and truthful. He is bound by truth, but it does not disturb him. He lives in it.

The offer of faith is to join his freedom. We will probably not being able to generate it by ourself, independent of him. But when his spirit fills us, also his freedom comes. It is a fantastic freedom. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts