We began with Webster’s definition for freedom: “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.” We expanded this definition to something more comprehensive: Freedom is the state where thoughts, choices, and actions are not constrained by external or internal factors, including future consequences.

Therefore, a person could reach absolute freedom, if and only if, either natural laws and consequences didn’t apply to them, or they knew the natural consequences following from their choice/action would be best for them and accepted those consequences by their own choice.

If we accept the view of atheist materialism or any pantheistic worldview, then, logically, everyone, everywhere, always has zero freedom. These worldviews reduce everything to being a part of nature, governed by natural laws, leaving no room for free will.

In contrast, theistic worldviews propose there is something within us exists beyond nature and natural laws—like a spirit or immaterial mind—allowing for real freedom of thought and action. However, even in this scenario, we still encounter constraints limiting our freedom, and sometimes these constraints are for our own good.

Can either of those situations apply to us? I hope so, because the endless striving is frustrating, and often seems to be just spinning my wheels, going nowhere to free myself or others.

Rational thinking and the world we live in rely on cause and effect, meaning natural consequences will always play a role in our decisions. Given this, complete freedom from natural consequences is not an option, therefore, complete freedom can only be achieved if we every choice we made we were able to KNOW it was the choice that would lead to the exact consequences we wanted.

There are only two ways this would be possible: either we would have to know all there is to know, or we would have to trust in a Source beyond us—one that has full knowledge of reality and the ability to guide us toward the best outcomes.

Knowing myself well, others I’ve interacted with, and history, leads to the inevitable conclusion: No individual, no matter how knowledgeable, can claim to fully understand all the interactions and ramifications of every decision. Even collectively, humanity falls short of possessing the knowledge or objectivity required to ensure that all decisions will lead to the best outcomes. The only remaining option is to trust in a Source – transcending human limitations – one that knows the reality of the universe and has the authority to ensure the final outcome.

What worldview provides such a Source, and what validation does this Source offer to prove its reliability? The options are clearer than they may seem. Materialistic worldviews, including atheism and pantheism, cannot provide such a Source because they reduce everything, including any supposed “all-knowing” beings, to part of the natural world, fully controlled by natural laws.

Of the theist worldviews, and further, in all philosophical, theological and scientific writings throughout all history, the only worldview providing a Source capable of perfect knowledge and control, while also demonstrating value and care for humanity deserving of trust, is the biblical God. Both the Bible and the life of Jesus offer claims supported by historical evidence and verification beyond any other worldview claim.

The Bible presents a powerful paradox: by freely choosing to surrender your decisions and actions to God’s guidance, you gain the highest level of freedom, or, at the very least, lasting peace. (2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:13, John 8:32, Luke 9:23-24, Psalm 23:1-6)

We will always face certain constraints. However, by choosing to trust in a God who knows reality perfectly and has authority over it, we can rest assured that our choices, even those with difficult consequences, will lead to the best outcome. If there is a life beyond this one, then our time here is the smallest fraction of our entire existence, and our choices in this life have eternal significance. We can be secure in knowing, the choice will be in our best interest, the exact choice we seek, and we can exist in the peace of such reliability.

To be truly and comprehensively free, a person must not only be free in thoughts, choices, and actions, but also free from concern over future consequences. This requires free choices to align with the best choice given the consequences, and with reality. The best probability of successful alignment in both regards is if your free choices align with the will of the biblical God, whose defining characteristics would lead to our choices aligning with what is best for us.

Trusting God does not limit our freedom; instead, it allows us to make choices free from anxiety and grounded in the confidence the outcomes will be good. When we recognize that trusting God is what’s truly best for us, even constraints become opportunities for growth. They stop being limitations because we can choose otherwise, but we know that aligning our choices with His will is for our good. My mom said don’t stick metal in electrical sockets, and after needless checks against this constraint, I came to have the belief, or trust, or perspective that following her guidance is the choice I want.

This may entail consequences unwanted in the short-term, but wanted overall, when full results are considered. For example, our chief physicist was over-worked at work, yet, when twice she was asked by a friend in failing health to care for them, she brought the person into her home and performed health care to their dying day. I could hear the mental, physical and emotional drain her caring actions took out of her. Sacrificing your time, resources, or wants for another person, which meant much less travel and pickleball fun for our chief physicist, may not be the best for your life on Earth, maybe even harmful, but this is a choice aligning with the biblical God’s plans (Matthew 25:40-45), and when all is said and done, if standing within the Creator’s plan, her choice was an investment paying off beyond any other choice she could have made.

A person aligning themselves as best they can with such an authority, can literally be free from anxiety over their choices, and assured the consequences will be best for them when all the results are in. The Bible provides historical documentation of people who have lived in this freedom. The apostles, many of whom lived with Jesus for years, and knew for certain the truth or falsity of their claims, spoke of being truly free only when aligning with Jesus, who provided the truth, or reality of our situation.

Freedom Through Trust

Jesus noted we are all slaves to something, meaning things we value. And this is correct, we can value security, personal accomplishments, love, family, keeping what we have, expanding what we have, etc., and these things constrain our choices and actions, controlling us. If any of those things will lead to lasting joy, peace, and the best overall for us, then fine, but Jesus was claiming they cannot (John 8:31-36). While they may all be useful and good things in life, the truth is we were made for something more, a relationship with God, and once aligning with that truth, then we can cut the slavery to less important things, which only steer us directly into less than best consequences.

True freedom comes when our choices align with what is best for us, not only in the short term but in the grander scheme of things. When we trust in a higher Source—the biblical God—who knows what is best for us, we can make decisions free from the burden of internal and external constraints. We can rest assured that, in the end, the choices we make will lead to the best possible outcomes, whether we see them immediately or not.

I Have Problems with This

Can we always know what the biblical God would want? No. Just as a parent with a child, God wants us to explore, make our own choices, and learn from the world we are in. Further, even if we make the wrong choice, but did so with right motivation of trying to keep aligned with God, then we do not need to worry over the results as this Father takes our motivation into account greater than the actual choice.

We will make mistakes in choices, and even correct choices aligning with God can bring temporary negative results, but if we can rely on God knowing reality well enough, and caring for us enough to ensure what is best for us. We literally can cast all our anxiety on God 1 Peter 5:6-7.

Some people really don’t like the idea of an authority over them? I get it, my problem with authority has led being fully punched in the head by two teachers and a principal, among a list of other examples, which surprisingly never made it to a psychological investigation, or a rap sheet. However, this is an authority I will not win by going against, one who loves me on a level unmatched by the best family, loyal friends, and wonderful spouse, and is capable of providing joy that lasts regardless of circumstances, and trustworthiness through all things. This is an authority figure I love, and can trust.

A Rising Sun of Freedom

In surrendering our liberties to God, we gain true freedom—the freedom to live without fear, without anxiety, and with the confidence that our choices align with the best possible outcomes. Just as the Founding Fathers chose to trust a new form of authority, we too can find independence from anxiety and constraint by freely choosing to trust in God’s authority. This choice can be the moment when the sun rises, and hope and peace grow.

We all build our lives on a worldview foundation. Our thoughts, choices, actions, goals, and direction in life stem from this foundation. If our worldview matches reality, it will guide us toward the best outcomes. If not, it will crumble under the weight of reality, leading to unexpected and negative consequences.

Atheistic materialism offers no freedom in thought or action, reducing us to “meat robots.” Pantheism also denies free will, leaving everything—including any god(s)—subject to natural laws and entropy. Only theism, with its belief in both nature and an independent, immaterial God, allows for true freedom. We also are not just our physical bodies, but also include an immaterial aspect of ourselves, a spirit, which is entirely free from the control of laws of nature. If this worldview is accurate, and there is something of you surviving beyond your physical body, being free from the relentless grip of initial conditions and laws of nature, then freedom is possible.

To be truly free, we must be free in our thoughts, choices, and actions and free from anxiety about future consequences. Trusting in a Source that knows what’s best provides us with lasting peace and true freedom. When we align our choices with this Source, we can rest assured that we are making the best possible decisions, even if we don’t see the immediate results.

True freedom requires that our choices align with both reality and the best possible outcome. The best way to ensure that alignment is by trusting in the wisdom and guidance of the biblical God, who sees the bigger picture and leads us to the choices we all ultimately seek.

Often, like when I was a child playing with my dad’s fun-looking-equipment, I have thoughts or choices not aligning with the authority in a better position to know, and periodically get reminded with a burn (or, in this case, burning out our family’s apartment) of why I choose to trust a better source than myself.

No other source of authority remotely approaches the level of support from the diverse areas of study as the biblical God. This information is covered throughout the website. For myself, I have studied the communication this authority provided in the Bible, and in my own relationship with God through the years, which has led to my free will choice to follow the guidance of this authority, and it has made all the difference. This article was written in the hope you consider sacrificing your liberties, in order to experience the freedom and peace in your constant challenge of choices, knowing it will all work out for the best for you.

Almost two hundred years earlier, the Founding Fathers had to make their choice between traditional authority and a new authority, you too can have independence, from the anxiety and constraints placed on you, by freely choosing to recognize your dependence on the authority. You will look back upon this choice as either the sun rising, or setting on your hope for the best overall results for your life.