“The Challenge of Freedom”

What does freedom mean to you? 

I suspect that for many of us, our definition of freedom has more to do with how we were raised as Americans than it does with Paul’s teaching – which, let’s face it,  we are just not as familiar with. 

From the time we are very young, we are taught to cherish and defend our Constitutional freedoms:

*Freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly and petition. 

Rooted and grounded in these freedoms, our national identity and national pride are further defined in strong contrast to those places where people do not have these freedoms or the ability to develop talents and skills as they see fit. Freedom is so core to the American character, Patrick Henry famously said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Our neighbors to the north adopted this sentiment, “Live free or die.”

To the American spirit, freedom means everything.  But, often in American culture, the idea of freedom is truncated; simply characterized as the ability to do what I want when I want. “Don’t tread on me.”

But, our Constitutional freedoms – as valuable as they are – and the culture’s sense of freedom are NOT what Paul is talking about in the Letter to the Galatians.

In fact, his notion of freedom could not be more different.

Let’s start with the issue Paul was trying to address in his Letter to the Galatians.  Paul observed that the Galatians were deeply divided over what role Jewish law should play in their community.  Some felt that Jewish dietary law was so important that they refused to eat with those who were not following it. (Sounds like quite a few family holiday dinners since 2016.)

From Paul’s perspective, the purpose of freedom – given by God – is to build up the community.  He could not abide followers of Jesus making dietary laws a source of division. From his perspective, some Galatians were missing a central point about what it means to follow Jesus – and that is, to be the body of Christ together. Nothing exemplifies the Christian ideal more   than people gathering at the table together. From Paul’s perspective, divisiveness is antithetical to a Christian way of life. 

Notice his contrasting lists of selfish desires and the fruits of the Spirit. 

Selfish desires (sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, and carousing) are behaviors that may feel good in the moment, but often harm others and ultimately, ourselves.  They undermine community. They are also actions incapable of offering deep satisfaction. 

The fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)  bless the neighbors we are called to love. They build relationships; they build unity. As we share these spiritual gifts we experience true satisfaction. Doing good for others makes us feel good, too.  It’s that simple.

The freedom Christ gives is not freedom for self-indulgence but freedom from the small self, from the ego; it is freedom for service to others. It is the freedom in which life in community flourishes.

If St. Paul came to the United States in 2026, can you imagine what his questions might be? 

Like, why have so many Americans traded an expansive view of freedom for such an individualistic, unfulfilling way of life? 

Do Americans understand how important community is?

He might wonder: How can Americans fail to see that individualism is not only ultimately unsatisfying, but frequently destructive – of the self, of others, of community, and of the creation? 

He would probably want to know: Why are there so many different Christian communities?  Why do some Christians refuse to sit at the table or worship with other Christians?

He would likely be alarmed and want to know: Why is the name of Jesus used to legitimize the very things he taught against:  selfish desires, especially hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, and factions?

If Paul were to write a Letter to American Christians, I don’t think he’d be very happy with us. 

We can do better as followers of Jesus and as Americans. 

It starts with addressing the very challenge that spurred Paul to write the Galatians in the first place: finding a way to overcome the divisiveness that keeps us from “sitting at the table” with those with whom we disagree. 

In his commencement speech on May 28th at Harvard, Noah Eckstein offers sage insights and advice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz_iIA3kaLI (From 2:13-3:55 and 6:20-7:36)

“What makes us free (Yvonne Abraham wrote in the Boston Globe’s clever 1776 edition) is constant determination to listen to our better angels, not to those who would divide us in the interests of their own power and wealth.”

Unless we are willing to sit at the table and try to understand those who view the world differently than we do, our freedom as Americans, our freedom as Christians, will be compromised. 

For freedom Christ has set us free. It’s up to us, with God’s help,  to exercise the fruits of the Spirit.  This Independence Day weekend, is there someone you might invite to your table? Maybe even today? Amen.