Czech theologian, J. L. Hromadka, explains why Christians in Hungary and China can have true freedom, even though the state does not afford them simple liberties and rights.
“As theologians we are aware that the Church in the true sense must always be shaped by forces which come from above and which liberate us internally-or are we not aware of this? The crisis of the Church throughout the world consists in Churches not realizing this, in that they constantly seek support where they should not, and do not have the courage of inner freedom which her true substance gives the Church. The question of freedom is a difficult theological problem, for true freedom is not something served up to us on a platter: ‘Help yourself!’ On the contrary, it is something which must always be fought for and won in spiritual courage against our own human self and everything to which we are accustomed. What joy it is when we realize that the Church is actually living by this freedom and that it cannot be taken from her by anyone. What breadth is necessary here, what inner liberation and what love for those who are around us.” Cited in Stephen Neill, The Unfinished Task (1957), 80-81.
Could it be that those of us with the benefit of liberties and rights find it more difficult to win for ourselves true freedom? Is there the need to affirm that freedom in Christ – true freedom – is not dependent upon the type of government under which we live or the whims of a ruler? What we have in Christ cannot taken from us by anyone. What joy!