In the gospel, we are free from the wrath of God [and] we are free for sheer enjoyment of God, the world, and our very lives, which, as created, are interwined with others. Acknowledging God to be God allows us to be free from ambitio divinitatis [ambition to be divine], allows us to accept our humanity, including those aspects of ourselves that apart from God's affirmation of us in our entirety we would find unacceptable. In such trust that God is for us, and from the assurance of God's present commitment to us, the future is promised as a space for the flourishing of life, not only personally but also socially and cosmically. In God's provision, there will be enough for us. We need not be driven by the anxiety that results in greed. Furthermore, the past is not something from which we must flee in shame or guilt, but instead can become an integral part of our histories and identities. We are free from the compulsion of establishin g our own worth and security, because these are in the hands of a trustworthy God. As free, we can be free for others - genuinely open to their needs and concerns as well as the needs of the earth.
(emphasis original, p.184, Mark C. Mattes, The Role of Justification in Contemporary Theology)
Incidentally, someone pointed out to me recently that the first three words of God to humanity in the account of Genesis 2 are "You are free...".
This is rathe vague. But seems to me to verge on a rather triumphalistic Christianity-lite. No pain, no striving, no cross: 'anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me'.
ReplyDeleteIt is vague I guess.
ReplyDeleteChristianity has the promise of triumph and the end of pain though. However you are right that it is only half the story. The resurrection on the other side of the cross you rightly mention.
So the other side of freedom is that we are slaves/servants. Indeed Luther in his famous tract 'On the Freedom of the Christian' says that the Christian is:
I first lay down these two propositions, concerning spiritual liberty and servitude:--
A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.
Although these statements appear contradictory, yet, when they are found to agree together, they will make excellently for my purpose.
We should talk about both sides of the coin.