Freedom in Christ (part four)

1.                  Freedom in Christ liberated us from all men.

 The fourth form of freedom that we have in Jesus Christ is that of being liberated from all men, as it is written,; “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. And like the apostle Paul said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all that I might win the more” (1 Corinthians 7:23; 9:19).

Our freedom in Jesus Christ should not be used as a pretext for evil, or lawlessness; but to live as servants of God, obeying His commandments, and neither should this freedom be used as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love we are to serve one another ( 1 Peter r 2:16; Galatians 5:13).

Although as believers we are to obey those who are in authority for we have been instructed saying; “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of God” (1 Peter 2:13-16).

Nevertheless, our submission to every ordinance of man does not supersede our obedience to God; this applies only when it does not contravene the laws of God, because, "We ought to obey God rather than men.”

In short, our freedom in Jesus Christ does not invalidate the keeping of the first and great commandment which is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind” as demonstrated by the observance of the first four of the Ten Commandments; and neither the second great commandment, which is to love our neighbor as our selves, as demonstrated by the observance of the last six of the Ten Commandments.

Our liberty in Christ is to look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets, but a doer that acts, not under compulsion, coercion or by strict command, but a doer who acts by faith through love, he/she shall be blessed in all his/her doings (James 1:25).

The difference between fulfilling the law in the letter and fulfilling it in the spirit is application. One is applied through external regulations, and strict commands, while the other is applied by faith, through love as a form of gratitude. All we owe is a debt of love, for by the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified in His sight.

Observing the Sabbaths for example are all commemorations commemorating what the Lord did on that particular day and expressing our gratitude and thanksgiving to Him for what He did for us. There is absolutely no compulsion or coercion it is something from one´s own volition as we have been duly admonished saying; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it! (Romans 14:5-6).

This is a personal matter between each individual and God, for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of ourselves, but the crux of the matter is, it is by observing the Lord´s Sabbaths that one demonstrates his/her love towards God. Our liberty in Jesus Christ has liberated us from all men and therefore we are only enslaved to God and His righteousness.

Therefore, when it comes to worship, we ought not to set aside the commandments of God and follow the customs and traditions of men which is vain and useless, for we have been admonished saying; “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).

We have been liberated from all men  and have received the consolation saying; “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5)..

Our loyalty, our subjection, our obedience is first and foremost to God and then to all those who are in authority as long as their commands does not contravene the laws and principles of God, but when for example we blatantly reject or disregard the days which the Lord has ordained to commemorate His plan of salvation for humanity and instead expressing our loyalty and gratitude to days which commemorates man’s achievements, this is making ourselves slaves of men instead of being a slave of God and His righteousness.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph