Abdiel and True Freedom

The Philosophy prof at work has a quote at the end of her emails- something to the effect of, "The more free I am, the happier I am." I told her that I thought the key to contentment is a life of sacrificial service to others (not that I'm all that good at doing it myself), not personal freedom. She dismissed my thought (and me).

Last night I came across this quote in Paradise Lost: Thyself not free, but to thyself enthralled. It is said by the angel Abdiel to Satan after he has been bragging that in his rebellion against God he is free, and therefore better than the "unfree" angels who still choose to serve God.

Abdiel's (Milton's) point is a good one- we all are slaves to self-centeredness and selfishness, even when we are free from all forms of external coercion; it's called sin. It's only in Christ that we come to grips with it and have a chance to overcome it, with his help, if we are willing.