Indifference or Excellence?

As Americans, a principle that we value, perhaps more than any other, is our freedom. Our liberties and freedoms should never be taken for granted. Many have died to preserve them. Yet the greatest threat to our freedom may not be an external threat like terrorism, or despotic dictators who seek to overthrow this country and all that we stand for. The greatest threat to our freedom may be our own indifference. We must be on our guard where liberty and freedom are concerned.

When you ask people about what freedom means to them, you may get a variety of answers. This article will consider two possiblities. First, we will explore the "freedom of indifference," and second, the "freedom for excellence."

For some, freedom means being unencumbered by rules and regulations. “I am free to do what I want…Nobody can tell me what to do.” This understanding of freedom is quite common and is part and parcel of our current culture’s focus on personal rights and autonomy. In this scenario, the prevailing motto and mantra is, “live and let live.” For proponents of this philosophy, freedom is defined as the absence of anything that would control them. It is life with no restraints, rules or regulations. The law is seen in a very negative light…because it constrains and stifles one's sense of expression. This way of thinking is reflected in the song, “I did it my way!” and is called the “freedom of indifference.”

Allow me to give you an example of the “freedom of indifference” in action. Imagine that you place a child in front of a piano. You try to teach him where middle C is and how to play a C major scale. He looks at you incredulously and says, “No, stop bothering me. I just want to play what I want to play. Leave me alone.” You can imagine the “beautiful” sounds that he will create on the piano. Heaven forbid that this child ever gets hold of a violin. This is the freedom of indifference…and sadly, it is the way a large portion of our population approaches life – even some Christians.

For others, freedom is not from something…but to something. Freedom helps one to achieve excellence – but through a disciplined and dedicated life. Consider James 1:25. In this passage, James reveals that true freedom comes, not by dispensing with discipline and the law, but living the law that actually gives freedom. Read this carefully. "…the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." Now look at James 2:12. "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom…"

How can the law give freedom? Doesn’t the law squelch freedom? Isn’t the law like placing a burden around our necks? Concerning this, Jesus instructs us in Matthew 11:29 and 30,"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." But wait a minute…a yoke is used to control. How can a yoke be easy? How can a burden be light? This is oxymoronic!

Allow me to give you an example of how living by the law and discipline actually sets us free. Remember the child on the piano from a few minutes ago. Imagine that he is open to the instructions of the teacher. He begins to work on his scales and he embraces the discipline of daily practice. In accepting this disciplined regimen of preparation, the child develops skills that were, at first, pedantic and painful, but over time become easy and natural. After years of dedication, determination and discipline needed to achieve excellence, this child, now plays with complete freedom and abandon. His personal expression is set free to soar where it never would have gone otherwise. What a stark comparison. The undisciplined child can only bang incoherently on the piano – is he really free? The child who submitted to the rules of preparation is free to play whatever he wishes. The freedom to excellence is an amazing concept for all of us as we consider our spirituality and the living of our faith. We must speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law the gives freedom.

As Christians, how can we live out our freedom to excellence? We must take Jesus’ yoke upon us. We must serve as Jesus served and live lives of self-sacrifice. This is not about personal expression, but about submitting to Jesus who taught us that life comes from death – that leadership comes from service – that joy comes from suffering and sorrow – that greatness comes through humility. How was Jesus able to maintain perfection and demonstrate such absolute excellence? What disciplines did He follow?

Jesus modeled some important foundational disciplines for us to imitate. First, He knew the Scriptures. He fought off Satan with the Scriptures. He taught the Disciples by quoting the Scriptures. Jesus had disciplined Himself to study the Scriptures. He knew them well enough to quote them at the drop of a hat. How about us? Do we have that freedom? It will take more than a cursory glance at the Word of God. We must dedicate ourselves to making the Word central to our lives!

Second, Jesus prayed to His Father often. So many times we find Jesus retreating from the crowds to spend intimate time with God. Think of His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” This stands in stark contrast to the freedom of indifference which says, “Not your will, but my will be done.” How about us? Are we so in tune with God through the daily discipline of prayer that we no longer seek our own agendas and desires…but rather…seek God’s will. With the Apostle Paul, are we more interested in meeting the needs of others, than our own (Phillipians 2:3-4)? That is a level of excellence that only disciplined Bible study and prayer can bring to us.

Over and over, Jesus demonstrates for us the freedom to excellence. We have also looked at the freedom of indifference. Which do you prefer? Or, better stated, which way of life does God prefer for His children? If you choose the freedom to excellence, realize that it will require discipline, dedication, and determination, but in the end, the outcome is clear.

Some may say that the child banging mindlessly on the piano represents freedom. But, the child who has mastered the piano through diligence and discipline is free to play any song from the vast repertoire - to explore the musical universe – with abandon – with freedom – with excellence. We have the freedom to choose? Which will it be - indifference or excellence?

This article was inspired by an article written by Christopher Kaczor entitled, “The Truth Will Make You Free.”