ARISE

Since by its very nature, love requires freedom, it follows that freedom is at least as intrinsic to reality as love, and perhaps more so.

Freedom is not merely the means to other virtues; it is a fundamental virtue in itself. "For freedom Christ has made us free" (Galatians 5:1).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives... To set free those who are oppressed" (Jesus in Luke 4:18).

This high view of freedom helps us better understand many things which are otherwise cloaked in mystery. Chiefly, the existence of evil. Freedom is a gift from God, even when it's abused and used to limit the freedom of others. God does not smile on this (ab)use of freedom (and He is working to make all things right). The moral universe simply cannot work if freedom is not fundamental to reality and to God's own nature.

We're called to use our freedom as God does His—to love. "For God so loved the world that He [freely] gave..." (John 3:16).

"You were called to freedom, only do not use your freedom for sin, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).

"Of every tree you may freely eat" (Genesis 2:16). God gave this freedom; it included access to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Adam and Eve's choice should have brought their immediate death. Instead it brought the promise of God's own death—something He freely chose.

God used His freedom to preserve ours.

The Cross, then, becomes the true Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, since there we see perfectly both good and evil. Let that sink in. — David Asscherick, ARISE Instructor