The Inevitable Surrender of Freedom
It goes without saying that an addict can hardly control their tendency to sin in the particular way to which they are accustomed, but is that truly relevant for other sins or even nonaddicts? It seems the answer is yes. One way or another we give up, our expected freedom, but in what way and to whom is the real question. Yet, there remains one apparently more relevant, question of what the better option is. I would answer that freedom guided by Goodness Itself is better than anything lesser than Him, and that if surrendered to sin or the enemy there cannot be a worse choice.
First, it is almost self-evident that following God is a worthwhile surrender of freedom if one must be chosen. What does following God look like? Well, it sure has its costs. However, this does not answer the question. we are not looking at a catalog from which to choose but two opposing paths, directions, and propulsion. On God's side of this dichotomy, we can see that there is there is the language of self-mastery. This is where the apparent initial cost appears and what dying to oneself corresponds to. Freedom, as stated, emphasizes voluntariety, the ability to say no to God is the same as sin, but the path that God recommends keeps us free and enhances our nature to be in control of our nature and free to engage in the goods of the world without concern that there was a breach of something important or that it was mishandled. There is a certain duty that arises with love, but even those places can be found to be life-giving and wholesome. Sometimes we doubt that this path is worthwhile, maybe not with much thought, but we do. The problem can be the fact we don't put much thought into it. Since whatever we give up is often well worth giving up and what seems like it is not worth giving up will later be found to be worth giving up seen in the context of what God gives to us, we can gratefully conclude it is worth it even if it is a matter of life and death. Anything less than God even if seen to be good, cannot be as good as God (Philippians 3:7-8). This surrender of freedom not only is toways love but is love.
Second, what if we surrender that freedom to the opposition of God even if doing something clearly contrary to virtue seems like a convenient or good choice? Well, the main problem is its effects. It does not help you pursue further good but only the supposed good which you have pursued before. The enemy can use this attachment to make you incur every suffering upon those you love, to pull meaning from your life, and ultimately to make you not want God. This is no freedom at all, and we have pointed this out in various was before this post including the post on the two camps. However, the greatest good that can be achieved on this path is the good sought after, and like all material goods, it will one day end if you don't first. Then what, will you feel inclined to choose God after a lifetime of choosing against Him as though His concept of freedom is truly contrary to what is good for us? There is no fulfillment and only regret in this surrender of freedom, with God you always get back what is offered to some degree, what is offered the enemy is taken and can only be restored by God. Jelly Roll has some thoughts on this too, on drugs and freedom!
In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that there is nothing in this world worth surrendering our freedom for, except for the pursuit of God Himself. Surrendering to God's will is not a loss of freedom but a fulfillment of it, leading to true self-mastery and the enhancement of our nature. It seems that we are challenged (by degree of severity) to not use a frame of mind that we fall into when life disappoints us that we must learn to refuse in spite of (again by degree) a sense of feeling the need whether by fear of death or fear of missing out or not taking our favorite cure-all medicine and only our love of God and belief in His truth, providence, and reception of his grace can we overcome this and we need others to show us this disposition and its efficaciousness. The issue is our brains can hardly help from using established/present circuitry so we have to be strengthened by grace and communion against such circuitry and whatever it promises. Conversely, surrendering to sin or the enemy leads only to bondage, suffering, and ultimately regret. Therefore, the choice between surrendering to God or to the enemy is not merely a matter of preference or convenience but a decision of utmost significance, impacting not only our present but also our eternal destiny. In theory, this decision is a "no brainer", but when it comes to bringing it to bear, this is where the will to sacrifice comes in and every hardship arises. In a way, it legitimizes the effort because there are so many forces that work against our freedom psychological, cultural, and demonic. In the end, we must recognize that when we give into the enemy with will find ourselves stuck on a particular idea, thinking about one particular thing we think we cannot live without. If we surrender to God though, more often than not He defers to human will, and when we act in obedience to Him, we find ourselves opened to the world rather than stuck in a corner of our being.
Written by Carter Carruthers & also available soon at Missio Dei
Also read Carter Carruthers, "Defining Surrender and Applying it Well", Vivat Agnus Dei, December 15, 2024.
