Freedom Proclamation

In the modern society, Ten Commandments are seen with suspicion. Many younger people think it is a multiple choice question, and we can choose one we like. By any count The Ten Commandments are not popular. The secular America has banned Ten Commandments in public sphere.

Just by exiling Ten Commandments from public memory, people think they are free. They like to 'break the chains' and 'throw off the fetters' and enjoy freedom (Psalm 2:3). No moral laws or code of conduct or rules and regulations are acceptable. People yearn for complete freedom. But strangely they do not understand that the freedom has limits. A fish is free within the limits of water. When it crosses it, it is doomed. Human beings could enjoy life within the parameters set by God. Death waits when human beings try to break that boundary. "For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

Lord Jesus Christ said in his Nazareth manifesto that he had come to set the prisoners Free (Luke 4:19). He declared that it was fulfilled Today (Luke 4:20). So, a person could be free in Lord Jesus Christ and become a New Creation (II Cor 5:17). When a person becomes a new creation, he could see Ten Commandment from the perspective of Freedom. The Ten Commandments would not be a burden any more but Freedom Proclamation or Freedom Manifesto.

1. Freedom of Relationship: The First Commandment provides a special relationship with God. The creator, redeemer and righteous God is worthy of worship and human beings can come in relationship with him. He is the one who redeemed Israel from the Egyptian bondage, while he redeems all who trust him through Lord Jesus Christ from sin, death, world and Satan. This relationship also provides new identity. Knowing Him is Eternal Life (John 17:3). Trusting Lord Jesus Christ makes us children of God (John 1:12) The hierarchial needs Maslow talks about is fulfilled in this very relationship. God the Father provides our needs, security, loves us, we belong to the Family of God, we are given dignity as children of God and God unfolds His plan for self-actualization.

2. Freedom from Counterfeits: God has revealed Himself and there is not need to search for him or create gods. Counterfeit is similar to the original but they cannot be true. There is no need for substitutes. The second best is enemy of the best. Any philosophy or ideology or person or thing or position or possession takes premier position that belongs to God becomes the idol or counterfeit god. Substitutes could promise many things, but they do not have capacity to fulfill them. For example, forgiveness of sins could be promised by many, but only Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again and has authority to forgive our sins.

3. Freedom for Integrity: People take God's name for swearing or for oath to add credibility to their statement. Jacob feigned himself as Esau before Isaac to get a special blessing. Isaac demanded to know how he got meat so quickly. Jacob said that God gave him. He was using God's name to establish his lie as truth. In the Lord 's Prayer, we pray 'hallowed be your name'. Using God's name for selfish ends or to establish lie as truth is sin. Psalmist asks the Lord to guide in the paths of righteousness for His name sake (Psalm 23: 3). By not taking God's name in vain, we become trustworthy by being truthful.

4. Freedom For Holistic Healthy life: Human nature is to forget good things. God has ordained Sabbath Day for human beings to have right priorities. Rest, renewal, and refreshment in God's presence are the intention of Sabbath day rest. The world substituted Sabbath with weekends to enjoy that has resulted in people forgetting priorities. Stress, burn out and lifestyle diseases like – high blood pressure, diabetics are result of forgetting to celebrate the Sabbath day as Holy day. There is also memory problem for human beings. They have to be reminded every seventh day about their privileges and responsibilities. Sunday gathering reminds people their relationship with God and stewardship of the world.

5. Freedom for long life: God promised long life for those that honour their parents. Respecting, providing their needs is good and brings blessings. Honour does not mean slavery to parents and not fulfilling purpose of God. Children should obey their parents in the Lord )Eph 6:1). Old age should not be viewed with contempt by young people. They should not be exiled to institutions unless all other options are explored.

6. Freedom from Hate: Murder is outcome of anger, bitterness, hatred and resentment. Freedom from hate and anger is by forgiveness. Lord Jesus is our model. He forgave those who crucified him on the cross. Lord's prayer teaches us to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness is the key to freedom, while resentment, bitterness and revenge mentality would lead to murder. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. (Matthew 5:21-22) Even character assassination is murder. Bringing bad reputation to someone by gossip is also murder.

7. Freedom for Heavenly Family life: As a new creation, relationships are transformed. Husband – wife relationship becomes sacred and holy. Any physical relationship outside marriage is sin against oneself the partner and God. Many marriages are in danger due to 'extra-marital affairs'. When God's parameters, rules and guidance for family life is adhered, family becomes heaven on earth. When they are violated, it becomes hell on earth.

8. Freedom For Contribution: Stealing is unauthorized use of others' things. It is possible to steal or loot from God by not giving tithes to God. "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings' (Malachi 3:8) It is possible to loot the Government by not paying taxes. We lose the positive opportunity to invest in the Kingdom of God and for the welfare of the nation, when we refuse to do so, we steal that does not belong to us. When I am late to a meeting, I rob the time of others who are waiting for us. Taking bribery for doing a illegitimate favour is stealing,

9. Freedom To Be True Witness: Misrepresentation is false witness. When a life of a Christian does not reflect biblical values, he or she misrepresents Lord Jesus Christ in the society. That person is a false witness. Making allegations against some one without evidence is false witness.

10. Freedom From Covetousness: The freedom Lord Jesus Christ gives is 'godliness with contentment' which is a great gain (I Timothy 6:6). Lack of contentment leads to covetousness and greediness. That drives a person to acquire more and more, by fair and unfair means. And there is no sense of satisfaction like bottomless pit. Consumerism is based on covetousness and so is materialism. Lord Jesus Christ frees us from covetousness and gives self mastery.

Challenge:

The Ten Commandments are not burden or frustration any more. It becomes Freedom Proclamation if a person is made free by Lord Jesus Christ. When s/he lives in that Freedom, s/he enjoys the Commandments as Freedom Proclamation. Like fish, a person could enjoy optimum joy and peace within the water body of Ten Commandments.