VVWhat is True Freedom?
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
The Nature of Freedom
Jean-Jacques Rousseau famously wrote, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” This statement raises a timeless question: What does it mean to be truly free?
Freedom is a profound gift from God, enabling us to live with purpose, fulfillment, joy, and accountability. However, it is not without boundaries. True freedom is inseparable from responsibility, as every right carries an inherent obligation. For instance, while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it does not grant the liberty to endanger others, such as falsely shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Freedom, therefore, must be exercised with care and discretion.
A distorted view of freedom equates it with unrestricted independence, the idea that a person can act however they want, without considering consequences or moral limits. This view often leads to selfishness and disorder. As Timothy M. Dolan insightfully observed, modern culture frequently confuses freedom with self-centered independence, creating what he calls a “culture of death.” True freedom, however, is not about doing whatever we want but about living in harmony with God’s design for our lives.
Freedom Rooted in Relationship
Throughout the Scriptures, God reveals what truly matters to Him, emphasizing values that far exceed human concerns. While people often focus on external achievements, wealth, or social status, God consistently highlights the importance of character, justice, love, and a deep, personal relationship with Him.
Jeremiah 9:24 offers insight into what God values most, in response to the pride mentioned in the previous verse. In Jeremiah 9:23, God warns against boasting in human wisdom, strength, or riches, qualities that society often perceives as success. Instead, He points us to what truly counts: knowing and understanding Him.
In Jeremiah 9:24, God declares, “But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who practices unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
The Father created us to connect with Him. The Father wants each person to truly know Him through a personal relationship. When we understand this, our view of freedom changes. True freedom isn’t merely being free from rules. It’s about aligning our desires with the Father’s plans for us.
Freedom in Alignment with God’s Will
Daniel J. Boorstin once remarked, “Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be.” This perspective shifts the concept of freedom from self-indulgence to self-fulfillment as intended by God.
True freedom is not the absence of boundaries but the ability to live in harmony with God’s purpose. It involves shaping our desires to align with His will and embracing the life He has uniquely designed for us. This freedom empowers us to love others deeply, serve selflessly, and live with purpose and meaning.
REFLECT & PRAY
D.A. Carson explains, “True freedom is not the liberty to do anything we please, but the liberty to do what we ought; and it is genuine liberty because doing what we ought now pleases us.”
Father, thank You for inviting me into a close and personal relationship with You. Help me to live in alignment with Your will so that I may experience the true freedom that comes from knowing You.
INSIGHT
The Search for Truth in a Postmodern World
In today’s postmodern society, the search for absolute truth has largely been given up, leaving many to grapple with the idea of freedom. True freedom, however, is inseparably tied to knowing the Truth. This creates a paradox: how can one experience freedom without first knowing the Truth?
Jesus addresses this dilemma in John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The truth is not abstract or philosophical but deeply personal. As Henry Blackaby explains, “There is a world of difference between knowing something to be true in your head and experiencing the reality in your life. Truly knowing God only comes through experience as He reveals Himself to you through His word and as you relate to Him.”
In John 8:36, Jesus further declares, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” True freedom is found in a transformative relationship with Jesus, who is Himself “the Truth” (John 14:6).
The Depth of Knowing: Ginosko
The Greek word ginosko, translated as “know,” in John 8:32,“encompasses both intellectual and experiential knowledge. It signifies a deep, personal understanding gained through relationship and interaction, rather than mere theoretical awareness.”
While ginosko includes intellectual comprehension, it goes deeper by engaging a relational and practical dimension. “It reflects a knowledge that is lived and felt, not just understood in the mind”. In the Scriptures, ginosko often denotes “knowing God in an intimate, transformative way, an understanding that arises from personal engagement with Him rather than merely knowing about Him.” This is not a superficial understanding but a deep, intimate connection.
Blackaby elaborates: “Many people have grown up attending church and hearing about God all their lives, but they do not have a personal, dynamic, growing relationship with God. They never hear His voice. They have no idea what God’s will is. They do not encounter His love firsthand. They have no sense of divine purpose for their lives. They may know a lot about God, but they don’t really know Him. Merely knowing about God will leave you unsatisfied.”
This distinction highlights the difference between mere intellectual awareness and a genuine, transformative relationship with God. Humanity was created to connect deeply with both God and others, and true freedom is found in nurturing these relationships.
Freedom Through Relationship
The Father desires that His children discover true freedom by aligning their lives with His purpose and fostering meaningful connections with others. This is the path to the freedom Christ longs for us to embrace.
John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The connection between these verses reveals that the truth Jesus refers to is not abstract or theoretical but profoundly personal. Jesus Himself is the Truth, as affirmed in John 1:14 and John 14:6. As Bryant and Krause explain,
“Knowing Him (John 8:28) =
Believing in Him (John 8:24) =
Knowing the Truth (John 8:32).”
To know the Truth is to know Jesus in a deep, personal, and intimate way. This intimate, experiential knowledge is a defining trait of those who are children of the King.
The Transformative Nature of Knowing Christ
Blackaby clarifies, “When Jesus said eternal life is knowing God, including God the Son, Jesus Christ, He did not mean that eternal life is knowing about God. He was not referring to someone who has read many books and attended numerous seminars about God. He was talking about a firsthand, experiential knowledge.”
When we first accept Christ as our Savior, we are introduced to Him, but our knowledge of Him is limited. Over time, as we grow in faith and delve deeper into His Word, our understanding of His character expands. The Lord Jesus Christ is unlike anyone we have ever known. His character is flawless, free from pride, selfishness, arrogance, or any dark side. As Richison notes, “When we delve deeper into the Word, our understanding and knowledge of Him deepen as we connect with Him. We continually discover the magnificence of His character.”
Freedom: A Gift to Be Protected
Pope John Paul II wisely stated, “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” True freedom is not about unrestrained behavior but about living in alignment with God’s will.
Ronald Reagan also reminds us, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on.” This applies not only to societal freedom but also to the spiritual freedom we have in Christ.
The Transformative Invitation
The Father warmly invites each of us to experience the freedom that comes from knowing Him intimately and dedicating our lives to His purpose. This freedom is not found in independence or self-reliance but in a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Truth.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 