When Freedom isn’t Freedom

Introduction

The freedom of speech, essential in any democratic society, has morphed into the freedom to say whatever, whenever, and to whomever. This was never the intended use of the freedom of speech, much less the modus operandi of followers of Jesus.

Because of the corruption of free speech, we are all the victims of a reactionary and systematized reduction of free speech. Saying anything that enters our consciousness has caused a backlash that far exceeds its corrective mandate (although, mandated by whom?). Now it is difficult to say anything with strength or conviction, unless approved by Orwellians, without having all hell rain down on you - which is ironic as this reaction is the exact opposite of what these people contend for. Oh well.  

Freedom in Paul’s mind has little in common with the freedom espoused by this age; this evil age, in his words.  Freedom to do and say anything is no freedom - it is just another shackle. Real freedom is expressed in a life that loves and serves, whereas Western freedom is a freedom that currently is tearing down, uprooting and destroying - all in the name of the freedom to say and be and do as I wish. Saying one’s mind might be your freedom but it is likely to be construed as building another man’s prison.

What we are freed from in the gospel is the dominion of sin, but not the dominion of God’s moral imperatives, nor the responsibility of loving others - we are free to love. To this, we are bound for all our days as servants of Jesus Christ.

Our challenge is that we are thoroughgoing Westerners and do many things without questioning them. But we should question, as cultural norms aren’t necessarily biblical ethics. 

Body

It appears a foregone conclusion that leaders are open game. They are a target for criticism and disapproval; leaders make mistakes - right? It is a relatively new phenomenon that President/Prime Ministers are so relentlessly lambasted - with impunity. (I am not suggesting that presidents get to go after their detractors, nor that Presidents can’t be corrected.) 

Jesus was silent before Pilate. He had more power than they could ever imagine but his silence was, in this instance, faithful acquiescence to God’s will. He had nothing to say to Pilate - either good nor bad, and we do know that Pilate was not always a good man. He was the representative of an illegitimate power, with a track record of inciting violence and murder.

Jesus once called Herod a fox -Luke 13.32. The context is instructive. His disciples told Jesus Herod wanted to kill him (it wouldn’t have been the first time) and Jesus told them to tell him he was heading to Jerusalem, and nothing would or could deter him. In other words, Herod was of no concern to him - a mere feral fox in a field. Although this wasn’t cutesy much less a compliment, in general Jesus steered away from attacking or criticizing political rulers. In fact, aside from this one instance he said little to nothing about the Romans. His fiercest condemnation was for the religious rulers, as they had the power to hinder people from entering the kingdom of God, whereas political rulers hold no such sway. Luke 11.52, Matthew 19.14, Gal 5.7.

Peter is explicit, saying, “As servants of God, live as free people, yet do use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 16-17 Which emperor was Peter referring to? Nero - a more wicked person it would be hard to find in the voluminous annals of the vile. The church understood the fickle nature of political power and its transience, whereas the gospel and God’s church would always endure; kings can’t stop God’s kingdom. 

Paul embodied the same ethic as Jesus and Peter. In Acts 23.1-5 Paul was slapped by the order of the high priest. Paul retorted sharply, calling him a whitewashed wall, for violating the law - the very thing they were accusing Paul of.  This would have gone no further except that Paul was rebuked for insulting God’s high priest. “And Paul said, ‘I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the leader of your people.’” It is unlikely Paul was being facetious, but genuinely repentant for breaking scripture (at this point). He was able to do this as he realized authority is given by God (a strange and troubling concept to Westerners). He is at some pains to emphasize this in Romans 13.1-7. Although he isn’t validating bad rulership and the corruption power brings as God’s explicit will, Paul still insists that God has purpose in the powers that be, even though they will all be judged for their actions (in part, as to how they treated God’s church).

Paul, when placed before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, was always respectful and honoring as he realized this did more for the sake of the gospel than just demanding his rights (as a Roman citizen) - Acts 22.22-29. He was able to speak to them, up to a point, of his experience with the resurrected Messiah, something he would not have been able to do if he had made an enemy of them.

And Paul is the author of the command in 1 Tim 2.1-4. We are to pray for kings and all who are in high places, not so much for their salvation as for the benefit of the church to enjoy a peaceable existence. In other words, it is hard to pray for the people you criticize, or mock - in the name of free speech, certainly not in the name of Jesus.

Conclusion

This is not to say Christians can’t be politically savvy (although few are) and salt and light (which all believers are to be), but it is a salutary reminder that bad mouthing leaders is neither godly nor helpful. Praying for them, should stem the torrent of complaint and criticism. Being less critical and more discreet is to be more like Jesus, Peter and Paul. Our freedom, like theirs, is to love and serve, 

The exercise of freedom of speech is a privilege. Not all cultures, few in world history in fact, value it. But we need to take care to not confuse freedom of speech with the freedom to love and serve. Anyone who is motivated by this freedom is less likely to rail, bad mouth, criticize and condemn their rulers.  The early disciples of Jesus and members of the churches Paul and others started never exercised this option - why would we imagine we can?

Pray for those who have the (civil) rule over you, and for those who persecute you - such people belong to the Kingdom of God.