The answer
We exercise our freedom not out of necessity, but through love “from the heart” with all our will. Freedom in Christ means being a slave to righteousness (Rom. 6:18), although this is a slavery that comes from voluntary love, and not because we are forcefully coerced. Our slavery is maturity and obligation without negligence or carelessness. St. Augustine says, “Let not then the Christian say, I am free; I have been called unto liberty: I was a slave, but have been redeemed, and by my very redemption have been made free, I shall do what I please: no one may balk me of my will, if I am free. But if you commit sin with such a will, you are the servant of sin. Do not then abuse your liberty for freedom in sinning, but use it for the purpose of not sinning … For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another’ (Gal. 5:13).”1086 And elsewhere he says, “Therefore the good man, although he is a slave, is free; but the bad man, even if he reigns, is a slave.”1087
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Notes
1086 St. Augustine of Hippo, Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John 41:8 (NPNF I/7:233) amended.
1087 St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God 4.3 (NPNF I/2:66).