Question

What is the relationship between freedom, love, self‑giving, and self‑mastery? Why does human freedom become perfect when it is directed toward God? What limits human freedom? What is the relationship between freedom and responsibility?

Answer 1

• God has created free will in every human being. This free will doesn't mean to do what one wants from their passions or desires but to do the will of God consciously and deliberately. Thus, choosing the right way of living according to the will of God is freedom. Choosing to live according to the will of God means to love others as He has loved the man kind by giving His son as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind from the disobediences or sins. This is self giving and self giving requires mastery over human desires of flesh, laziness and anger. It requires a conscious effort and dedication to live according to the Words of Scriptures. Thus, freedom,love, self-giving, and self-mastery are related.
• Human freedom when becomes God directed bears the fruits of love , endurance self-giving,joy, peace,kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-mastery. Thus,it becomes perfect under the will of God.
• The passions and desires of flesh, anger, laziness, self-love and selfishness limits human freedom as it creates disobedience towards the will of God and hinders human to choose the right living.
• Freedom means to choose a right life. It a conscious effort to live responsibly. It means to have control on one's selfish desires that may adversely affect others progress and life. Thus, freedom means to live a life and carry out one's responsibilities with joy and peace, without any grudge, but with a free will.