God’s Gift of Liberty
(A Special Message) | July 1 – 7, 2023
Edited by David Anthony and Samantha DeVore
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” ~ Jesus (Luke 4:18)
This week, as we celebrate America’s independence, let us more importantly remember our spiritual freedom from the penalty and power of sin afforded to us by Jesus!
Our founding fathers got it right when you declared that ultimately liberty is a gift from God. From our Declaration of Independence…
In Congress, July 4, 1776
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The above famous phrase adorns the halls of government, courthouses, and universities across the nation. That word unalienable means, according to Merriam-Webster, “Incapable of being alienated, surrendered or transferred; impossible to take away or give up.” Our founding fathers recognized that the liberty they were proclaiming on behalf of The People of these United States was of God, not of themselves.
The spiritual liberty we proclaim is likewise not from man, but from God. In fact, if you are in Christ, you are free even if you are physically captive.
I Corinthians 7:22 says…
“For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person…”
John 8:36 proclaims…
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Romans 8:1-2 reaffirms the above statement…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
God has a lot to say about liberty and freedom in the Bible. He wanted us to know that we are free in Him—in Christ—no longer slaves to sin and the world. Galatians 5:1 tells us…
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
We are free in Christ, but God warns us to be careful what we do with that freedom. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:12…
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “
1 Peter 2:16 reminds us…
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Yes, we rejoice in the freedom we enjoy in Christ, but what we do with that freedom matters. We are free to choose, by decision or indecision, to serve ourselves, the world, or God. Knowing that the liberty we enjoy in America is from God, shouldn’t we endeavor then to serve God, not ourselves, and not the world? If we are serving God, it will be reflected in our service to others.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ~ Galatians 5:13
Happy Independence Day Saints!
With that in mind, let us all take a moment this Independence Day to thank God for the freedom we have through His Son, Jesus Christ. And let us endeavor to serve one another in love—love for the saints, and love for God.
