The concept of freedom
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the concept of freedom from a Coptic Orthodox Christian perspective, affirming that God created man free and that freedom is a gift linked with responsibility and judgment before God. Freedom is not merely acting by will without limits, but is accompanied by duties toward God, others, and public order.
Freedom and responsibility
Freedom requires accountability, reward and punishment; there is no absolute freedom without commitment; your freedom ends where another’s freedom begins. The existence of restraints — God’s commandments, social laws, the state’s order, the authority of parents, teachers and the spiritual guide — preserves freedom and prevents social and spiritual corruption.
Limits and negatives of uncontrolled freedom
Freedom that turns into laxity or following passions is not true freedom, but enslavement to desires and passions (like smoking, lust, love of money), and what seems freedom may become servitude to matter, to passions, or to Satan.
True freedom and inner liberation
True freedom is liberation from sins and bad habits and from the slavery of matter and Satan, and it is achieved by purifying the heart, self-discipline, and virtues. Christ granted freedom by liberation from bondage to sin, and salvation is the price of man’s true freedom.
Maturity of freedom and its practical restraints
Freedom is given according to a person’s intellectual, spiritual and moral maturity; therefore one must learn self-discipline (fasting, restraint in speech, thought and feelings) and submission to guides so that freedom is used for the benefit of the individual and others and not to cause harm.
The eternal purpose
Freedom is used to strengthen life with God and to preserve eternal salvation: correct freedom leads to choosing good always, and to a pure spiritual life that does not lose eternity because of laxity.
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