The Christian View of Liberty

Americans make much of their liberty. On July fourth, patriotic folks shoot off fireworks and celebrate another year of freedom. And while they celebrate independence from a tyrannical foreign power, we believers celebrate our dependence upon the King of Kings.

But how can subservience to a king free us? Sin is what rules our world at present. Jesus himself answered that question when he confronted the Pharisees. They thought they were free and were Abraham's children when they actually were in satanic bondage. John 8:34(BBE) reads, "And this was the answer Jesus gave them: 'Truly I say to you, Everyone who does evil is the servant of sin.'"

Worldly folks figure we live drab and tedious lives. If only they could know how we rejoice in God's provision of salvation from the tyranny of sin. Romans 5:1 and 2 (BBE) say, ""For which reason, because we have righteousness through faith, let us be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; Through whom, in the same way, we have been able by faith to come to this grace in which we now are; and let us have joy in hope of the glory of God."

Better still, we become adopted children in the royal family of Christ. As Paul explained in Ephesians 1:4 and 5 (BBE), "4   Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love: As we were designed before by him for the position of sons to himself, through Jesus Christ, in the good pleasure of his purpose,"

Moreover, we give all that we are in exchange for all that Christ is. Hebrews 9:16 and 17 (BBE) explains, "Because where there is a testament, there has to be the death of the man who made it. For a testament has effect after death; for what power has it while the man who made it is living?"

Since Jesus died, we gain all that he has bequeathed to his adopted children. And since he lives, he enjoys it all with us. Revelation 19:6 and 7 (BBE) describes this joyous occasion when the Bride, meaning all of us believers, will be married to the Lamb of God, meaning Christ. "And there came to my ears the voice of a great army, like the sound of waters, and the sound of loud thunders, saying, 'Praise to the Lord: for the Lord our God, Ruler of all, is King. Let us be glad with delight, and let us give glory to him: because the time is come for the Lamb to be married, and his wife has made herself ready."

So we understand that what sinners consider bondage is actually liberty from the hellward spiral of the world. Knowing these glorious facts, how can any believer in Christ stay silent? This world will pass but Christ's rewards are eternal.

This and much more will be in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Worldly folks think they're free but they're in the worst bondage imaginable.

On Saturday, I'll post about the summertime blues teenagers get when they have to actually work for a living.