Every year, on July 4th, Americans come together to celebrate their heritage of freedom. Over two hundred years ago, the country’s statesmen signed the Declaration of Independence to inform the king and the nation of England the American colonies were free. They would not pay tribute to a king living thousands of miles away.
After the signing of the Declaration and the “birth” of the USA, farmers, shepherds, cattlemen, men and boys took up arms to defend their right to be free. The war raged, blood was shed, but in the end victory was realized. For over two hundred years, Americans have celebrated that freedom.
However, freedom and prosperity come at a price. Since then, other wars were fought to maintain that freedom. Freedom has brought governments and nations to their knees. It has scrapped old philosophies and systems. American freedom has earned a place of honor, respect and sometimes envy among other nations of the world.
Likewise, the freedom of the soul comes at great sacrifice. The liberty of the soul includes tales of wars, bloodshed, and vigilant defense. Paul described the process of spiritual freedom:
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Rom 6:16-18)
The Mandate of Freedom
It begins with the bondage that all men serve under—sin. Sin is the great taskmaster (John 8:32). When we submit to the lusts of the flesh and sin, we become slaves to sin, and it draws us away from the Creator. The battle for the soul began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this very moment because all have sinned (Rom 5:12).
We pine to break the shackles of sin. Without freedom, eternal hell will be our destiny. That’s the mandate for freedom.
The Mechanism of Freedom
God was not content to allow his creation to destroy itself with sin. He devised a plan to save us. He promised Adam and Eve ultimate victory over sin in the woman’s seed (Gen 3:15). Then he made blood a part of the plan by sacrificing animals to cover their nakedness (Gen 3:21). He asked for blood (Gen 4:4). Throughout the patriarchal era, God allowed men to sacrifice animals for justification. Under the Mosaic Law, the sacrifices continued.
However, the blood of animals never matched the true price of sin (Heb 10:1-4). Man needed a better sacrifice. He needed a sacrifice of equal value—a man. He needed a sacrifice of greater value—one without the taint of sin. God sent Jesus as the Lamb, which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Once Jesus gave his blood, sin met its match and freedom was nearly in hand! His blood became the mechanism for our freedom.
The Manner of Freedom
God offers everyone freedom through Christ’s blood. According to Paul, the manner of application is obedience. We choose freedom over bondage when we choose to “obey righteousness unto life” instead of “sin unto death.” Paul even identified the pattern to obey, “that form of doctrine” which was delivered by Jesus and the apostles.
The Maintenance of Freedom
Finally, just as our nation fights to protect national freedoms, so must the child of God fight to maintain his spiritual freedom. Paul encourages Christians to put on the gospel armor to prepare for this fight (Eph 6:10-12). Yet, we do not fight on a hallowed battlefield, but in our hearts. The battle is over making the right choices, fending off sin, and resisting the devil.
Yes, freedom has always come at a price. But no freedom is as valuable as the freedom from sin. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Our nation celebrates freedom once a year. Christians celebrate the freedom of our soul every day. Thank God for freedom!
Preaching Minister