So, what is the real meaning of the word freedom? I am not asking for a new man-made definition of freedom to confuse the people in our country and around the globe even more, of that is even possible, but the definition that burns in the heart of the Great I AM. We see so many definitions of freedom, blurted out from the mouths of those claim to have all the facts but these definitions later turn out to be just another opinion of how they see things. Sadly, as we pursue and move towards these freedom definitions of “human brilliance”, the world moves closer and closer to a lifeless state of coldness, drained of true love and stripped of authentic Godly freedom. A world pursuing hell, if anything. It is time to turn around South Africa and start embracing the truth that will set us free – the Word of Abba Father!
How can a true definition of freedom be to live and pursue my will when I pray – “Lord, Your will be done, not mine?” Do we see the contradiction? Can we see the challenge, buried in this trap we call political correctness or human rights? Has our search for true freedom not become an idol that binds us to isolation and individualism? There is a huge difference between being “set apart”, which is the Hebrew word for being holy than being isolated, which is a strategy of the enemy in his attack on the children of Abba Father to weaken us. The worldly definition of freedom – as discussed in our previous article – promotes individualism. The definition of individualism being:
“the habit or principle of being independent” or listen to this, “a social theory, favouring freedom of action for individuals”, in other words “I will do things my way and pursue my will”
What is the danger in individualism, however? The Hebrew mindset of individualism is quite intriguing, mind blowing and revealing, if not shocking. The concept of individualism in Hebrew, entails the breaking of relational ties, necessary for loving your neighbor! Read that again! The Hebrew word embraces a certain self-righteousness that requires ties of love to be cut in order to run after your own will. After all, if I want to live and have my way and pursue my will all the time, it would require having to cut out the needs, will and requirements of others around me, in order to achieve my “goal”, not so? It breaks the very foundation of the instructions of Abba Father which is laid in, loving the Lord your God with all of who you are and loving your neighbor as yourself. How do we intend to break this foundation but still build the house?
We have to realize that, the worldly definitions of freedom cannot suffice for a heavenly purpose that Abba Father has for each and every one of us. So, what if we study the Word of Abba Father with regards to true freedom, His definition?
One of the Hebrew words in the Word of Abba Father, translated as freedom or liberty with regards to a country and their people, is the word De’ror. The Hebrew word De’ror and its root word, actually means something totally different than the word freedom we have become accustomed to.
The direct translation of De’ror is the action of release. What does this mean? It is a word used, when a new king assumed power over a country. As part of the office taken up by the new king, he would declare a forgiveness of debts and in this, release slaves from that which mastered them so that they could be mobilized, and live without restrictions under the rulership of the new king. But there is more! This did not mean that the new king had no governing laws, but that, whatever kept the people in bondage in the past, were cut off.
So, to start the study of the definition of freedom or liberty from the Word of Abba Father we find the word De’ror, which means – “to be released from that which hinders you to serve your king.” You want to think about that for a minute? All of a sudden, a totally different picture emerges, contradictory to the picture of saying and doing things my way, but a picture of blockages, that prevent us from serving our King, that disappear.
Now consider the scripture in 2 Corinthians 3:17 again which says:
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Instantly, you see the picture of Holy Spirit that guides us and leads us, so that we can serve and worship our King in spirit and truth without any hinderances – true freedom. Can you see how far this is removed from the worldly definition of freedom to take land when I deem it my right, or freedom to say whatever I want no matter how much it hurts other people? Can you see that the Hebrew mindset in the word of Abba Father, and we have only done one part of it, refers to releasing me from blockages that hinder me to walk and serve the King of kings in obedience.
This is however only the foundation of true freedom according to the word of Abba Father. Don’t miss next week as we will press in deeper to the true meaning of liberty from the word of Abba Father.
Prof Gerrie Bester PhD