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. –Galatians 5:1

We were called to live a life of freedom. Have you noticed that we all strive to live in this freedom that Jesus has given us, but for some reason we choose not to live in it.

There is a freedom that only Jesus Christ can offer, but there is a cost. This is where most of us turn from this freedom. We want to step into this freedom and our soul yearns for it, but we don’t want to empty ourselves and hand over the reins to God. But we don’t and we choose slavery.

Jesus shares what this freedom looks like, but when we read these narratives in the bible our first thought is…huh??

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. –Matthew 5:39b – 42

If you get slapped, turn and give them the other check? What?

Imagine a person of authority (in biblical times, a Roman soldier) provokes you by slapping you in the face for no apparent reason other than abuse of power over you. What would happen if you struck back? Well, if you were fortunate you would be arrested, but most likely killed.

We want the power to overcome our enemies don’t we? We think this is freedom, don’t we?

This coward who carries that shield, that sword waiting for you to retaliate. Our instinct is to strike back, but what if we offered our other check to let them know that you are free?

You let them know that you have self-control and that they don’t control you. A freedom that they will never understand.

Imagine that Roman soldier comes on a cold night and demands that you give up your coat. You are with your family and they do this to humiliate you. Yeah, it’s cold outside and this is your only coat, but image if you gave them your coat and your shirt too?

You let them know that their greed cannot overpower your generosity. A freedom that they will never understand.

Imagine that Roman soldier comes to you makes you carry their load for a mile just because they can. Coming to the end of that mile they laugh at you, mock you and tell you to put the load down. What do you do?

Take another step and walk another mile! Why? Because, the extra mile is the declaration of your freedom!

Don’t ever let another person turn you into a slave. Darkness cannot ever overpower light! Hate is never more powerful than love! Despair can never conquer hope!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. –John 8:36

Aslan could have crushed the White Witch’s army but goes to the stone table, freeing the people of Narnia. William Wallace could have eased his pain by swearing allegiance to the king of England, but finds the strength in his last breath to shout “freedom”. Gladiator could have lunged forward when Emperor Commodus finds pleasure in verbally taunting him with what the Roman soldiers did to his wife and son, but he chooses self control to fight another day.

Jesus Christ, God Himself, could have crushed the Romans. I love what He says in Matthew 26:53, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” But what does He do? He goes to the cross.

Are you getting this?

Is Jesus suggesting some twisted form of weakness or victimization? Nope! These examples are not demonstrating an attitude of weakness but of strength. It takes fortitude and self-control to resist the urge to strike back. He is talking about true freedom.

We really don’t understand true freedom. We want the power, we want the control because we think this gives us our freedom. We are more concerned about our freedom to choose then we are about making the choices that bring this freedom. We typically think “fight or flight” as ways of dealing with these situations, but there is a third way – the way of wisdom. Jesus causes His reality by how He thinks and does not let outside events or people cause His reality. These examples teach us to respond to life instead of react to it.

Not easy stuff!!!

Are you ready to offer up the other cheek?

Are you ready to give up your coat and your shirt?

Are you ready to go the distance and walk the extra mile?