Great piece. The question of real freedom is huge and its pitfalls numerous. We are told that “the truth will set us free”: but from what and for what and how is this done?

Perhaps if any future ecumenical efforts concentrated solely on clearly defining the exact nature of freedom, Christendom would finally be of One Faith. For me, understanding the exact nature of our freedom in Christ reveals precisely how to follow Christ. The path would be straight and the narrow gate flung open wide. 

A well-known Christian defined freedom this way: “It is not the right to do what we want but the ability to do what we ought.”  Sounds good, yet it overlooks a fundamental truth of the New Covenant: we have been given a new nature that desires God.  Our wants will be His oughts, only if we fully depend upon the spirit within.  If we do not depend on this spirit within, which desires after God, we will be dependent on the carnal use of our effort and obey out of duty, not joy.