It starts with the
definition of Christian: A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the
truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey
the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real
piety.
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Continuing in this small Bible Study on Christian living, this lesson focus on “Freedom”. The word “Liberty” is defined as: freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty, when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty, when not checked or controlled. A man enjoys liberty, when no physical force operates to restrain his actions or volitions (choices, desires, preferences, will and wishes). Natural liberty, consists in the power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature. It is a state of exemption from the control of others, and from positive laws and the institutions of social life. This liberty is abridged by the establishment of government.
Liberty has always been a
cherished concept to Americans. It is what the Revolutionary War was fought for
and is engraved on every American coin. It was also a burning issue with the
Jews at the time of Christ, chafing under Roman rule as they were. Many early
Christians were actually slaves or even in prison for their faith. All those in
bondage have longed to be free, and wars and revolutions have been fought to
gain their freedoms. But the worst bondage of all is slavery to sin. No army
can free a man from sin, and if he dies in sin, he will continue in bondage
forever.
Romans 7:23-24 “I see
another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and
making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a
wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
It is only Christ who can set a sinner free. Christ died for our sins, and through faith in Him we receive full pardon and liberty. “Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. . . . Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:6-7, 18). There is no greater or truer freedom than freedom in Christ. John 8:36 states, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. Because of Christ, the very creation itself, now groaning and travailing in pain under the curse of sin, one day soon “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
In Christ we now have freedom to live unto righteousness. “Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).
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