We have been told that this is a free country and we can do whatever we want. This sounds nice in theory, but in reality, it does not work. Whether we like it or not, there are laws that restrict our freedom. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "freedom" as, "A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude or confinement." Freedom can only be enjoyed when one does not infringe upon the freedom of others. Freedom has consideration for the rights of others. Freedom is not being able to do whatever what someone wants to do. This is licentiousness. Freedom has the idea of restraint. A synonym of freedom is liberty. There are different kinds of liberty. These concepts of freedom and liberty are not unlimited, but there are constraints upon both by the law.
Application
To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.
Exodus 21:16 reads, "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." This is what we call kidnapping. Webster’s renders "kidnapping" as, "The act of stealing, or forcible abduction of a human being from his own country or state. This crime was capital by the Jewish law, and in modern times is highly penal." Notice that the punishment for this act is the death penalty. In our modern day, this seems an extreme punishment. But this is viewing it from the criminal side not from the victim. No one is to be forced against their will to be deprived of life or liberty if they have done nothing wrong. Kidnapping is the imposition of one’s will upon another by force. We are talking about at the individual level, not the civil government.
Another reference to this civil crime is found in Deuteronomy 24:7, "If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you." Here an individual has stolen a man and seeks to make money off of him. He has stolen his liberty without the benefit of a trial. In other words, the victim is not deserving of the actions of the perpetrator. God has only given the civil government the power of constraint by force. He has not granted any single individual this authority. This is why vigilantism is forbidden for the individual. We are not to take the law into our own hands, but to use what God has provided.
Paul wrote in Romans 13:1-4, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." God has established civil government to take care of evildoers. He has given the civil government the power of death for capital crimes. It is their responsibility as ministers of God. They execute His wrath in the earth and then He executes His wrath on the guilty for all of eternity. If we do, what is right, rulers are not a terror to us. It is when we step outside the bounds that we become fearful of the governing authorities.
Have you ever stop to consider that criminals usually make sure that they are well armed? They know what they are doing is wrong and they seek to protect themselves because they know that they are fighting against the police force who is armed. In one other place in the Bible kidnapping is mentioned. In 1 Timothy 1:8-10 we read, "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine." The civil law was not designed for the righteous because they are obedient citizens. However, because of the sin nature, not every one is going to obey the law. Thus, the necessity of the civil law is to protect the righteous from the unrighteous. Here one of the crimes listed is man stealing or kiddnapping. We are not steal another’s freedom and to do so can bring the death penalty.
Conclusion
A free society is one characterized by being able to go places without losing one’s freedom. This is why there is a prohibition against kidnapping. It breaks the sixth and eighth commandments specifically. If you break one, however, you end up breaking them all. We are to allow others their freedom of motion. We are not to try to force them against their will. If someone does, they set themselves up as sovereign. They try to take the place of God.
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