Freedom of God's Truth

by Brandon Jubar

What makes us free?

Seriously. What does it mean to be free?

Does it mean that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to ask permission or worry about what other people might think?

Unfortunately, that's how many people think of freedom. Sort of a license to do whatever and a get-out-of-jail-free card just in case. But, of course, I'd like to propose something different.

Let's look at two fictitious people: Joe Shmoe and Jane Doe

Joe is your average Shmoe. He's not a bad person, and he tries to do the right thing (most of the time). In fact, he takes the time to think most things through. He looks at what people are saying on all sides of an issue. He reads about it, prays about it, and then does what he thinks is right (with an eye towards minimizing the repercussions of his actions).

Joe spends a great deal of time weighing his options so that he can figure out the best possible solution for the problems life throws his way.

Jane Doe is anything but average. She is a very unique person, and she firmly believes that she is special in God's eyes.

Jane is also a devout Catholic. She respects and follows the teachings of the Church, and she operates from a solid set of moral principles that are grounded in those teachings. Jane doesn't spend time analyzing every problem and studying all sides of every issue. She uses her moral principles to guide her fairly easily through life. When she encounters a problem to which she does not have a ready answer, she turns to the Church. Invariably, the Church has an answer for her (also grounded in the same moral principles).

Jane is free to love life because she doesn't get bogged down in trying to judge everything in a vacuum, based solely on the particular situation. She understands that the only truth is God's truth, and when we live accordingly, our minds and hearts are free!

Many people would say that Jane Doe is tied down by the teachings of the Church; forced to "believe" something that she has not determined to be true for her.

These same people would say that Joe Shmoe is free because he is exercising his "free will" in determining what he believes is true. He is not mindlessly following the teachings of an antiquated religious authority like the Catholic Church.

But there is one thing that Joe Shmoe and his legion of admirers seem to have forgotten:

God's truth does not bind us -- it sets us free.

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Peace,
~Brandon