“ Freedom Is Not Free”
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
America is not free because of our laws. Nor is it free because of its economy. It is not free by the media, president, or the power of its military. Freedom is free by only those who died to preserve our freedom. America is free because some people
Died for others.
Ever since America was discovered, people made sacrifices for others to survive. It was the American philosophy for many years. Helping those who can’t help themselves.
On a tragic Tuesday morning, terrorists attacked America. Firemen, policemen and volunteers raced to rescue hundreds of fellow Americans who were bruised and battered by rubble falling from the crumbling towers. Every one of those men and women laid their life on the ground for others.
We as Americans are again challenged to help one another. The hurricane’s damage is extensive and many are without homes, jobs, and security. I urge you to help these people out to the best of your ability.
As we look further into the matter of freedom, we see that sacrifice is not only essential during a tragedy, but as some have even exampled, before one.
Thousands of men and women sacrifice before the face of danger exposes itself. Freedom during peacetime is often taken advantage of.
However, in another war, in which we are enemies or allies, people die in hopes of freedom for selves. The freedom is not of this lifetime but that of afterlife.
People are in the bondage of sin. Knowingly or unknowingly, they are bound as servants to it.
Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
This
is the better side of life if bound in sin. The bible warns us that the wages,
or payment of sin is death (ROM 6:23a)
The bible also states that the soul that sins will die! What is this death one may ask? It is that of torture and of never ending flames. The bible describes it as a place where the worm dieth not! It is a place of fire and brimstone. It is a place of unquenchable thirst. It is a place where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. The bible says that Death AND HELL were cast into the lake of fire… this is the second death.
Rev 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
However,
someone gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. It was the payment that could not be
paid for other than by blood. Sinless blood. The bible says that we all come
short of God’s glory. (ROM 3:23). We are all as an unclean thing (Is 64:6).
The Almighty God died for our sins. He died in our place. That is true
sacrifice. Dying for the enemy.
Over
in Iraq, soldiers are being killed and are killing to stay alive. This sacrifice
is noble but is vain.
Freedom.
What is real freedom? Is it the liberty to sin freely? Is it the right to
do as we please? Is it the permission to please self?
What is it?
Our
forefathers could attest that freedom is not to live out of the law but in the
law. One’s liberty and freedom is
only good if lived within the law. Law enforcement officers do not
arrest until you have broken the law. Are you not free to do as you please? In
Christ it is no different. If one so openly breaks a law of the land
fearing not what man whom he sees can do, how much more does he sin and break
the law of GOD?
Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
So what is the freedom we have in Christ? Is it to willfully sin, because we are not under the law? Galatians 5:13 “ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Romans 6:1-2 ” What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Romans 6:15 –16 “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
The
freedom is not that we do as we please but that we are free from the sting of
sin.
1Co 15:55- 57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We should be the last people on earth to be arrested. We should be the last people on the face of the earth to be drinking or smoking or cheating on spouses. We should be the last people who gossip. We should be the last people who complain or shack-up. We are supposed to be Christ-like…. CHRISTIANS.
We are to be the light of world and salt of earth. People are to look at us and see Christ living in our lives.
Mt 5:13- 16“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savior, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The bible tells us we are to be peculiar people.
Tit 2:11-14
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who
gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
FREE from all iniquity! How? The old testament saints were not justified by keeping the law but by the faith that God would send a final sacrifice for the sins of the world.
A person who is not charged does not need bail. However, one who is charged and found guilty must seek out mercy from the judge. A truly penitent lawbreaker will not involve himself in a crime. Thus, a truly penitent sinner will not involve himself in sin once pardoned. Do I speak new doctrine to you? No. This is embedded into every fiber of our church doctrine.
2Ti 2:19
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ depart from iniquity.”
Ga 5:1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
True repentance for salvation is not a work. It is a place where the heart and the mind meet.
Where is true freedom? Freedom is not free.
Freedom came with the price tag of DEATH.
Being saved does not mean you have freedom. It means you are free from death and hell.
True freedom and liberty comes to those who are obedient!
OBEY the spirit’s LEADING to be saved.
OBEY the spirit’s YIELDING to follow him.
OBEY the spirit’s REFINING of sin.