Always free
Who doesn’t crave freedom in their life – whether from illness, fear, or something else?
Christ Jesus offered this encouragement: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32).
This promised freedom isn’t limited to some vague time in the future. It’s a promise for right here and now. The truth that heals is the fundamental fact that we are not mortals with problems, but entirely spiritual – God’s children. We’re designed to eternally reflect God, Spirit, who is perfect.
One time I asked God in prayer for inspiration that would bring freedom from leg pain that was bothering me. “You already are free,” was the immediate and potent answer. As I considered that revolutionary thought for a few minutes, the pain disappeared completely and permanently.
Man – meaning all of us in our true, spiritual nature – is already free. We reflect God’s wholeness and goodness. That’s what Jesus proved throughout his healing ministry. Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, wrote, “The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, – perfect God and perfect man, – as the basis of thought and demonstration” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 259).
To understand, through the power of Christ – God’s healing message of truth and love – that we are already spiritually free can be transformative and redeeming. This is the salvation that comes to us from God, divine Love, in a way that we can both understand and experience. Our spiritual sense, given to us by God, enables us to discern – even when circumstances indicate otherwise – that not only are we already free, but we always have been.
In the Bible, Paul, whose own character was thoroughly reformed through Christ, wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1, 2). Freedom is an irrevocable, holy law of God. Recognizing this opens our eyes to see and experience that freedom more tangibly, even where it feels as though we are stuck.
Science and Health gives this insight, using the biblical name “I AM” to refer to God: “The everlasting I AM is not bounded nor compressed within the narrow limits of physical humanity, nor can He be understood aright through mortal concepts” (p. 256). And neither can God’s idea, man, be “bounded or compressed” as His reflection! I’ve frequently found that praying from the standpoint that God’s children are forever free, forever safe, and forever well brings freedom from physical as well as mental captivity.
No matter what kind of circumstance or condition threatens, there’s a path to healing in Christ Jesus’ promise mentioned above. As we embrace the spiritual truth that we already and always are free, this understanding brings about help and healing.
