INNER
FREEDOM
“Acquitting the guilty
and condemning the innocent — the Lord detests them both” (Proverbs 17:15). Human justice
is not always just, right, and fair. Those who have had their
freedoms and personal liberty taken from them, whether justly or
not, have a unique and difficult challenge because they cannot
escape their physical captivity and outward control by others. To
help them recognize and focus on what they can change and control is
an immense challenge psychologically and spiritually. To understand
that our mind and spirit cannot be controlled outwardly by someone
else or by circumstances is to begin to comprehend the power and
deeper meaning of inner freedom. To experience personal control over
thoughts, attitudes, and emotions, no matter what the circumstances
is a power and freedom that cannot be taken away. It can only be
relinquished by us.
The apostle Paul experienced severe hardships, beatings, and
imprisonments because of his faith and obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23 – 28).
In spite of that, he was able to say, “I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). His secret
was inner power and control. His mind, will, and spirit were not
controlled outwardly by anyone or anything. Paul identifies the
source of his strength in the next verse saying, “I can do
everything through him who gives me strength.” Paul’s contentment,
inner peace, and self control, no matter how dire his circumstances,
came from giving God control of his life. “The mind controlled by
the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans
8:6).
John and his coworkers have been privileged through correspondence
courses to get to know many people in prison who have become
believers and have been obedient to Christ while in prison. They all
say that good has come from their time in prison because they have
become new spiritually. They have given their life to God in baptism
(Romans 6:3 – 7) and
become “a new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Their
relationship to God enables them to have victory over their
surroundings and their inner demons. God’s Spirit within gives them
a new attitude and, indeed, a “new self” (Ephesians 4:22 – 24). The
irony of inner freedom is that we all have the power to choose who
and what will control us. Those who have been “born again” have
chosen God.
— Cynthia Clayton
Photo: Patty Gibson
Back to Contents Does God
Exist?, MarApr12.
