An inward conviction that freedom is definitely linked with righteousness and its primal quality love, and is unattainable without them, led the writer to consult the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy on this subject. Today freedom is again being challenged, and it is good to make sure that our ideas on this tremendous issue are sound and clear and include a genuine conviction of its spiritual quality. Its importance was emphasized during the Second World War when two well-known leaders used the "Four Freedoms" as a basis for a charter designed to bring true liberty to the human race. They were the freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of speech and expression, and freedom to worship God. In what we call the free world, men enjoy in large measure the last two freedoms mentioned; but who would not be grateful for a fuller measure of freedom from fear and freedom from want? Throughout large areas the specters of fear and want still stalk the earth.
A study of the book of Acts provided the writer with some rather surprising facts about the early Christians, whose discovery of the strength and beauty of freedom was inspired. Their great Master had said (John 8:32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free;" and they themselves were very confident in their sense of joyous freedom. And no wonder, for the Master's teaching of the Christ had brought them love, joy, peace, and singleness of heart. God and His Christ were to them living realities.
Paul, the great Apostle of the Gentiles, knew well what true freedom or liberty meant. While he was a prisoner in Roman hands a voyage was undertaken which turned out to be a great spiritual adventure. Its stirring incidents comprise one of the most fascinating stories in the New Testament. The account of the shipwreck on the island of Melita, the modern Malta, shows that Paul admonished and eventually through his wisdom and foresight saved the whole ship's company from destruction. On this occasion Paul's following after righteousness resulted in a freedom that saved himself and others on that island from discords and difficulties of many kinds. He knew that righteousness is the basis of true freedom from all that enslaves. Listen to his clarion call of freedom (Gal. 5:1), "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
