Liberty

Liberty

After the first humans were persuaded by the serpent to do what God had forbidden, they lost their purity and their divine image. Moreover, they also lost the liberty which God had given them, and they could not get it back because the serpent now had a part in them. They ended up in a prison, bound by sin which was in the flesh after the Fall, and they both were driven out of the garden of Eden which was in Paradise. Many scriptures speak about the enslaved state that was the result of the Fall. Ps. 51:5; Rom. 7:14, 18, 23, etc.

The hope is that the creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Rom. 8:21. God’s children are thus freed from the bondage of corruption. Of course this applies to those who accept this liberation by faith. It is not so uncommon to can see and hear people who call themselves believers, living like “cats and dogs.” The creation is groaning, longing for liberty. They sense themselves that it is not as it should be, when they are at enmity with each other. Even though they are given access in Christ to be free from all evil and enmity, so-called believers continue in these things, without believing in or even seeking the liberty that can be had in Christ. That old serpent still has his share in them and does his works through them.

By partaking of flesh and blood like the children, Jesus redeemed us and destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14.

Many people are enslaved by the things of this world and its pomp. They adore and worship it, perhaps not even being aware of it, because it is part of them as a consequence of the Fall. When they hear God’s word preached in the right way, light will shine into their hearts, and they will see their sin and their idolatry. If they are the “right kind,” they will repent and rejoice over the liberty they have in Christ, which is to do God’s will. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials . . . .” Jas. 1:2. All kinds of trials result in all kinds of victories, and who cannot but rejoice in your God and Savior over such salvation!

The secret of this liberty that God’s children receive is in the calling to discipleship. In this calling there is a radical separation from everything that is of the flesh and a complete surrender to the Spirit’s leading, which opens the door to glorious liberty.

However, Satan is not idle; he also gives liberty to his own. “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” Rom. 6:20. Everyone who secretly loves sin in one way or another rejoices in this liberty. They are free from keeping God’s commandments, free from exhortations, free from judgment, etc. For these people, following Christ is a demanding way, and to them, denying themselves is something they have to do. However, God does not use forced labor or employ people who feel obligated to serve, performing their work because they think they must. It is a matter of choosing freely; Judas experienced that. Satan is permitted to do his work, but those who repent and humble themselves receive grace from God and strength to overcome all things, and to stand in the day of trial.