Liberty
The theme on the minds of many in this country this coming week is liberty, especially since we are celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. It is likely this is on everyone’s mind because of the holiday in this nation celebrating independence from Great Britian. We often refer to the holiday as: The 4th of July, but the actual “name” of the holiday is “Independence Day”. Wikipedia provides the following information: Independence Day (colloquially the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen Colonies would be no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. Independence Day is commonly associated with various other activities such as: fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. – Unfortunately for many, this is simply another day off work, or another long weekend to enjoy.
Liberty has long been connected with freedom. To a person serving in the military, “a liberty” is: an authorized absence, not chargeable as leave, for short periods to provide respite from the working environment or for other reasons. In other words, during the time of their “liberty”, they were free from the constraints of working, or scheduled duties. One definition I found for liberty is: the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views: The key here is “oppressive restrictions” because in any functioning society or body, there must be rules, laws and even restrictions for the good of all.
The same can be said for the spiritual kingdom, the church. Everything God has done for man has been for man’s good. But freedom “in Christ” does not mean we have liberty to do as we please. There are “rules” which God has given in His Word to guide the lives of those who love Him and follow Him. These Commands are not “restrictive” to those who love God and desire to obey Him as can be seen in 1John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. While Christ was on earth, He constantly spoke to His people, the Jews. In John 8:31-34 we read of Christ offering them liberty and telling them of their bondage. Because of the blindness of their hearts, they refused to receive what Christ offered. They didn’t want the truth. They wanted “freedom and liberty” based on a misconception of the Law of Moses, under which they lived at that time, which was not freedom at all. Interestingly, when Jesus told them what could make them free, they claimed while under Roman rule and domination, not to be in bondage to anyone. They missed the point altogether. Christ came to deliver man from the bondage of sin. And this can only be done by following and obeying the New Testament truth of God.
In 2Cor. 3:15-17 this is explained for us. The Spirit had Paul write this so those brethren (and we) can know how true liberty is provided and what was preventing Jews of that day (and perhaps now) from being the recipients of the liberty in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it (their heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. The Spirit brought the Word to mankind and has delivered the “truth” of which Jesus spoke. In Jas. 1:25 the N.T. Word of God is called the “perfect law of liberty”. We also know that this was sent to man from God Himself. In Jas. 1:17 we are reminded of this. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Would any argue that God’s Word is not the perfect gift? Most everyone desires to be “free” from spiritual death. I can’t think of a single soul that wants to spend eternity in Hell! However, so very few are willing to completely follow the plan that God has presented in His New Testament Word. We all have “freedom”, but not all are free. We can choose to obey, or we can choose to disobey. That is freedom. But according to Christ in John 8:32, only truth can make us free. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Being free and having liberty “in Christ” does not mean we worship or serve as “we wish”. Jesus made this clear while talking to the woman at the well in John 4:24. He told her: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. This means we must also have the right attitude in our worship to God, and it MUST BE in accordance with His Holy Word.
In Gal. 5:1, the Spirit had Paul warn the brethren in the churches in Galatia to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” In Rom. 6:16, the Spirit had Paul remind those brethren that all serve someone or something. Today, we should heed that same advice. Seek that liberty. Why not obey the gospel and then stand fast in the liberty “in Christ”? To do otherwise is to “obey sin unto death”. That is the worst bondage one can impose upon himself.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
