Set free
The title refers to the familiar Finnish Kai Hyttinen’s chorus of the song “Kurki”.
Freedom is a value that we sometimes take for granted. The pandemic has brought many restrictions that have affected, among other things, freedom of movement and assembly. However, the significance of the restrictions has become clear. They are to prevent the spread of the virus and to reduce its threat to health. The aim has therefore been to restore freedoms through restrictions. Sure, there are many opinions about how things are handled and how they should be handled, but that is not the purpose of this writing. What is freedom basically?
Freedom means different things to different people. For many Finns, freedom reminds us of our country’s independence. For other peoples, sovereignty is only a painful and distant dream. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion or equality has not became reality in the world. It is also one of the reasons for the increase in the number of refugees.
The opposite of a free man is a a slave. Although ancient slavery has been made illegal in most parts of the world, modern slavery affects about 40 million people. Most of them are girls and women. Forced labor at the risk of violence and prostitution is the most common form in modern-day slavery. Throughout time, the existence of a slave has been determined by what he produces. How much he collects straw from fields or loads of bricks, as the Israelites did in ancient Egyptian slavery. Not only is modern slavery a major problem, but the human image of slavery has also intensified. In today’s world, human value and esteem are often measured by mere productivity or talent.
The value of a free man is not based on one’s achievement or ability. The value of human is based on the fact that God has created us in his own image. God does not define the person He has created on the basis of productivity. God loves us because He created humans and allowed His Son to die because of everyone’s sin.
People can be enslaved by many things:
economic factors,
addictions, drugs,
or the opinions of others.
Paul writes: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5: 1).
The freedom of the Christian is freedom from the bonds of sin and its chains. This freedom calls for action and responsibility. “Pray and work” is a good old advice and aims for freedom.
How could you and I pray and promote freedom around us and in our daily lives?
Blessings,
Pastor Timo
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