Living in Society
However, as I also believe God holds society accountable to form frameworks of accepted behaviour within which we may pursue happy and fruitful lives, it is evident that this requires a rule of law along with some system of enforcement. This is evident from passages in both the Old and New Testaments. Romans 13 is probably sufficient to refer to here. For the believer the scripture makes submission to these rules mandatory with this statement,

"Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake...".
1Peter 2: 13

So, if we live in a society that has enacted a law or rule of some sort, whatever it may be, we are obliged to "submit" to it. If we break it, we must accept, as though it were the Lord himself, the judgment or punishment that the law of that society deems appropriate. In some societies this may be harsh, in others lenient. However, if it is the law of the state in which we reside, we must submit to it. It may also occur that we find ourselves living in a society where the privileges of freedom as I have outlined above may barely exist, if at all. States have frequently adopted legal forms of slavery for all or some of their citizens throughout history. Under these difficult circumstances the Christian is called to submit, endure and look to the Lord for help and succour. Psalm 103: 6, 1 Peter 2: 23.

Of course, this does not mean we cannot, under certain situations, seek to change or adapt laws we feel are unduly harsh or morally repugnant. Those situations would be where the constitution of the society in which we live allows for and provides a mechanism for such changes. For myself, I do not feel that a believer should initiate any form of violent attempt at change in these circumstances, although he may well support and assist, without breaching any other moral imperatives he is required to hold, or without contravening the law of the land, attempts at change.

The Contemporary Challenge
From where I sit I feel the challenge for the believer in contemporary western society, and living in the liberal and just society most of us enjoy, is not to abuse the privilege and to know where the boundaries lie. For example, should Christians seek to so change a society that it becomes a "Christian State", such as we find in the Islamic faith and in Buddhism, and so on. For my part, I think not. Although, I'm happy to admit that, theoretically at least, situations might arise where this might come about -perhaps quite easily. However, as a result of deliberate intent and planned political action, I feel that this in not where the Christians energies should be directed.

Social Action: An Imperative
This does not mean a Christian should be socially passive. Quite the contrary, I am quite convinced that Bible believing Christians have an obligation to meet social need wherever it may arise. So, for example, activities to help the poor, the underprivileged, the handicapped -in whatever way, are mandatory. These should be initiated wherever required, funded and organised as efficiently as possible and with as little fanfare as possible. I do not believe there is any merit for Christian organisations that seek to meet these needs with the aid of State funds, either. These should be funded, staffed and organised by believers at our own direct cost, simply out of compassion and a desire to follow the example given in the story of the Good Samaritan. Otherwise, I wonder how we can possible hope to see any fulfilment of 1Peter 2: 12.

"...they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2: 12. NKJV

Also, Mathew 5: 16.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. "Mathew 5: 16. NKJV

Let me hasten to say, however, that any initiatives the State may take to alleviate suffering should be welcomed by all its citizens, and it would be logical for Believers to assist, participate and support these.

The Gift of Freewill
Living therefore, in a free and just society, such as we enjoy in most Western countries at the beginning of the 21st Century, we are able to enjoy the fruits of our choices whether they be good or bad, pretty much unhindered by any intervention by the State. Certainly, as those choices affect our religious and moral freedoms. I may worship as I choose and according to the dictates of my conscience. I may live as I choose, according to the dictates of my conscience and, providing always that I do not abuse the privilege by performing actions that contravene the laws of the State. In most cases, these, in our Western societies at least, do not conflict with the practice of most religion or the pursuit of "life, liberty or happiness".

This great treasure, is, I believe, a gift of God to all sentient beings. It may be argued to be the primary gift of God, second to, and after, the gift of life itself. We live.  We may choose. This, God has gifted to us. Inherent in this gift comes the freedom to choose to please God, or not. We can individually foster a desire to be pleasing to God, or we may quell any impulse towards God. If we foster a desire to please God, our lives will tend God ward, just as a plant grows toward the light. This is freewill at work. Following on from that we may "seek" God, and, if we do, the promise is, "we will find him, if we search for him with all our heart".  (Of course, the greatest gift must be Jesus -and with him Salvation, forgiveness and eternal life.)

A Christian, therefore, will see this privilege of "choice" or "freewill" as fundamental. Society and individuals must never be restricted in this. An individual has the ability to choose right or wrong according to his or her convictions and according to the definitions of the society in which they may live. Otherwise, how could an individual "choose" to believe the Gospel and be saved?

Avoiding Repression - Preserving Freedom
A Christian should never, therefore, support any restriction upon an individuals moral actions -and by extension, any legal restriction, other than those imposed by conscience and the wider social conscience of the community. Disapproval of a particular action or type of behaviour may be as strong as we care to make it, short of curbing by force or legal prohibition -imposing our standards by legislation. Of course, I am supposing that the unusual position of being in a primitive society where the rule of law is just being introduced and the broad principles of justice are still being enacted. Most established societies have laws against wanton murder, theft of another’s property and so on. If these were absent, then, of course, I would envisage any Christians living in such a situation being active in assisting the formulation of a rule of law as quickly as possible.

However, apart from that unlikely situation, I argue, that the preservation of maximum freedoms apart from legislation, should be the desire of all Christians, however much they might abhor certain other kinds of behaviours. Others may bring down more draconian legislation restricting personal freedoms, however, my whole point here is that Christians would be well advised to stay clear, and actually seek to discourage such enactments. Why? For the simple reason, that when one person imposes by legislation particular forms of restraint upon certain behaviours that they may find unacceptable, someone else may well find something they do equally unacceptable. Who knows what restrictions may be made in such a case? Freedom of worship and religious assembly may quickly follow. After all, plenty of people find any other form of worship or religion other than their own, objectionable. Both historically and in contemporary society are many examples of this kind of repression. Not only in the realm of worship and religion, but also in simple societal behaviours. Women, for example, are repressed and restrained in many societies -prohibitions often enforced by physical beating and imprisonment.

Praying for Freedom -an Imperative
Bible believing Christians are called to pray "for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority". We are to pray for them so that we may live a "quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty". Why is that? Two reasons are given by Paul in his famous passage to which we are, of course, referring, 1 Timothy 2: 1-4. The first is that we may live a "quiet and peaceable life" which Paul says "is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour". “Quiet and peaceable”, these are good synonyms for “living in freedom and minding our own affairs with minimal interference". In other words, freedom -God's great gift to the human race.

The second reason given by Paul here is "so that all men [may] be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth". In other words, so that Bible believing Christians, living quietly and peaceably, may concentrate on obeying the Great Commission by witnessing, preaching and making disciples of all nations. This is the best way to "occupy" ourselves. Not by marching and campaigning and waving placards and seeking political influence or control. But by obeying the Scripture and living quietly and peaceably in all godliness and honesty and witnessing, preaching and making disciples. This is our only legitimate occupation "until the Lord comes". Luke 19:13.

Here is 1 Timothy 2:1-4 from the KJV.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
1Timothy 2: 1-4KJV

So, this then summarises why I think freedom to be so very important and spells out pretty much my understanding of the word as far as our day to day living is concerned. Freedom allows me to engage in what is, for me, "The Most Important Thing in The World" -bringing men and women into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ so that they may receive the gift of eternal life and become born again into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus and God the Father.