The Occupied Territory of Your Soul 

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 

The issue of freedom is always in front of us as Americans.  Being an election year, the word “freedom” is prolific in campaign rhetoric.  Whether it's issues like abortion, property rights, zoning laws, taxation, the role of government, the power of media and a host of others, freedom has many applications and shades of definitions.  In a search for a synonym for freedom perhaps self-determination is a good one.  Self-determination defined as not being a slave or prisoner to outside determining forces.  Self-determination defined as being empowered to make choices.  Freedom is not a hard concept to define idealistically, but on the other hand, it is a complex thing to define in practice, especially when one person's self-determining act interferes with the rights of someone else; when one person's choice subjects another person to some form of oppression.   Hence, we have limits.  We have boundaries. We have heated debates and bitter disagreements.  Issues appear on our ballots concerning freedom.  We have relative freedom for sure.  We employ a sophisticated system of jurisprudence to help us define freedom and to maintain order.   

Freedom always means different things to different people.   

- For a baby freedom is being able to get out of the crib and crawl around on the living room carpet.

- For a two year old it means wandering and grabbing everything reachable.

- For a third grader it means summer vacation or tracking off.

- If you're sixteen it means the coveted driver's license.

- For the high school graduate it means leaving home, going off to school and having no one to tell you what to do.

- Freedom for young parents might be an evening together with someone watching the child.

- For some of us who are 50-Something, freedom may look like retirement.

- For someone terminally ill, suffering beyond description, freedom might be death, or going home to the Lord.  

I know a teen-ager who told me he was tired of his parents telling him what to do, so he exercised his freedom by joining the marines!  Reflect on that for a moment –fascinating!

I submit that freedom is always relative, and it doesn't exist outside of practical application.   

It was obviously relative for the crowd Jesus was talking to in this morning's gospel.   They took great offense at Jesus' suggestion that they were not free. "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone.  What do you mean by saying, we will be made free?"   But yet they were not free!  They were an occupied nation.  The Romans were calling the shots.  Yes, they had certain privileges, but within certain limits and all at the discretion of the Romans.  They were an occupied nation.   But, they had become so accustomed to their occupation – their slavery – perhaps they didn’t even see really it any more.  They had learned to live within the confining boundaries of occupation.

How do we react to Jesus' words this morning?  He is here and present among us, and as sure as he spoke to those Jews of old, he is speaking to us. "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.  You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."   Perhaps our reaction is similar to those first century Jews, "We are descendants of Washington, Franklin, Adams and Hancock.  What do you mean by saying, you will be made free?" 

Might it be that like those first century Jews, we have become so accustomed to our slavery that we don't really notice it any more?   Is it possible that we even get a little testy and offended at his suggestion we are not free?   I might vehemently insist, "I make choices every day.  Don't tell me I am not free."  Yes, I do make choices about all sorts of things everyday, but am I free?  It’s debatable.  For example:

Perhaps I know I should make amends for I have offended someone.  I know I should make the first move toward reconciliation, but I "choose" not to. However, if I am honest I did not choose to not make the first move toward reconciliation out of freedom.  I chose out of slavery.  My inflated pride and fragile ego prevented me from making an honest choice; pride I would have to swallow; ego I would have to humble.  As sure as the Romans occupied Judea, I am being held hostage by the occupied territory of soul -- occupied by my inflated pride and fragile ego.  

Perhaps I hear the pastor preach about servant-hood. I hear Jesus say things like, "take up your cross and follow me; pray for your enemies; turn the other cheek."   But I "choose" not to.  If I am honest I did not choose not to out of freedom.  I chose out of slavery, for I live in the occupied territory of my soul that is being held hostage by fear, disdain or lack of trust. 

Somebody walks into church - a stranger.  I "choose" not to speak or be particularly hospitable.  After all, I have to get to Sunday School; or to go to this or to that; or I need to speak to my friends.  If I'm honest I did not chose not to speak out of freedom.  I chose out of slavery because I am living in the occupied territory of my soul that is being held hostage by my own cloaked insecurity. 

Jesus was speaking to those Jews of a deeper slavery than the Roman occupation.  Jesus was speaking of a far more profound freedom that national identity.  And he is speaking to us about the same thing. Martin Luther had a name for it.  He called it the Bondage of the Will.  Luther maintained that sin incapacitates human beings from working out our own salvation, that we are completely unable to bring themselves to God, and by ourselves “choose” God.  I call it living “under occupation” - the occupation of sin.

What holds your soul hostage? What fear? What self-indulgence? What insecurity?  What prejudice?  What puffed-up pride? What are the forces and powers that are occupying the territory of your soul and holding you hostage?  What are the forces in your soul that you have grown so accustomed to that you may not even be aware that your soul is held in captivity. 

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." 

I have a question.  Whom do you resemble?  Who are the 3-4 most important people that have helped shape your life; helped make you who you are?  No one is self-sufficient.  That's a myth.  Whom do you most resemble?              

This is a big issue for the parents of teenagers.  Good parents want to know who our kids are hanging out with.  Why?  Because we know there is a reasonable chance that our kids will come to resemble their friends.  So we want to know! 

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." 

The more we hang out with Jesus, the more of him that is likely to rub off on us.  The Christian faith is not following a set of rules or laws. No way!  The Christian faith is not altering our behavior so God will love us more. No way!  The Christian Faith is not about being trying to be good little boys and girls. If it were, then all we would need is the Ten Commandments, nothing more!   We wouldn't need a savior, and we need a savior – a savior that will set our occupied souls free! 

The Christian faith is about nurturing and cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that he began with you in the first place - in your baptism.  The Christian Faith is hanging out with Jesus, the “word that became flesh,” as John declares in chapter 1 of his gospel. The more we hang out with Jesus the more of him that is likely to rub off on us; and the more of him that rubs off on us the more we are going to discover the incredible truth of what it means to truly be set free; and to live free; and to be free. 

True freedom is found only within the parameters of love.  1 John 4:18 declares, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear…" 

We could definitely interchange a few other words for fear.  "There is no prejudice in love, but perfect love casts out all prejudice."  Or "There is no self-indulgence in love…"   Or "There is no inflated pride or puffed up ego in love…" 

So who has the "perfect love?"   I don't, and you don't, but God in Jesus Christ does. 

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." 

Jesus Christ is the one who comes to liberate the occupied territory of your soul. It’s a liberation accomplished on the cross and begun in you in your baptism.  Hang out with him, more and more and more.  You will be astounded at the difference he will make: to empower you to discover your purpose; to set you truly free; to liberate the occupied territory of your soul!

Amen