An Authentic Calling: Representing Christ and His Kingdom through the Church

Session 4 A Call to Freedom Understanding an Authentic Call as a Call to Freedom

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians. 5.1 (ESV)

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ~ Exodus 20.2 (ESV)

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8.31-32 (ESV)

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

~ John 8.35-36 (ESV)

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ~ 1 Peter 2.16 (ESV)

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I. Understanding an Authentic Call as a Call to Freedom

The Significance of Freedom in the Christian Vision

Freedom is not one element in the Christian life. It is not one of its forms. It does not express itself accidentally, or according to circum stances, or through encounters. In some circumstances temperance is the work of faith, in others faithfulness, in others strict justice, in others extreme clemency. Freedom, however, is not like this. It is not a part or a fragmentary expression of the Christian life. It is the Christian life. Freedom lies outside the list of virtues. It is not one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is the pedestal on which all the rest can be set. It is the climate in which all things develop and grow. It is the signification

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