WALK IN LIBERTY

“STAND FAST therefore in the LIBERTY by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” – Galatians 5:1

To walk in Perfection is to WALK in LIBERTY: “STAND FAST therefore in the LIBERTY by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Gal.5:1). We STAND FAST in order to WALK in liberty! There is Liberty of Grace in contrast to bondage of the Law: liberty of not having to keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved. The Galatians were on the verge of being enslaved to the law afresh. Legalistic Jewish teachers were urging believers to be circumcised (Gal. 6:12, 13). Paul insisted that being circumcised changes the entire orientation of salvation away from God’s grace to works, and that this could never gain God’s acceptance (Rom. 3:10-18).

Liberty of the Spirit contrasts with servitude to the flesh: “Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY” (2 Cor.3:17). Holy Spirit liberates us from sin, death, and condemnation of the law (2Cor.3: 7-12). This happens through the Agency of God’s Word: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” (Jh.8:32, 36). The Word is the Perfect Law of Liberty (Jam.1:25). As we behold God’s glory in the Mirror of the Word, we are transformed into Christ’s likeness, in ever-growing glory: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed…” (2Cor.3:18).

Here are Four Caution Signs on the Pathway of Liberty:

Do not misrepresent Liberty: “But beware lest somehow this LIBERTY of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor.8:9). Strong believers should show love to the weaker ones by refraining from offending them: “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the Church of God” (1Cor.10:32). We must endeavour to do all things to God’s glory, by refusing to offend others, even if it means restricting our freedom. We must not seek our own way or do things for our own pleasure, but from a desire to bless others (1Cor.10: 24).

Do not take Liberty for Licence: “For you, brethren, have been CALLED to LIBERTY; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal.5:13). Liberty presents an opposite temptation from legalism. One can be tempted to view freedom in Christ as a selfish opportunity for the flesh – an opportunity to do whatever one desires to do. True Christian liberty is the freedom to serve one another in love (vv. 5- 6).

Do not misuse liberty: “As free, yet not using LIBERTY as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God” (1 Pet.2:16). Freedom in Christ must be applied wisely: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1Cor. 6:12). Not all lawful things are helpful or edifying (1Cor.10:23). A cloak for vice could be either: an excuse made up before the fact (a reason for wrongdoing), or after the fact (a cover-up for misconduct). Though we have freedom, we also have a responsibility to help others grow in Christ. As bondservants of God, we should submit all our actions to God – for He is our Master!

Do not pursue false promises of liberty: “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2Pet.2:19). The gospel offers release from carnal legality and the corruption of the world, but there are purveyors of pollution loitering on the Pilgrims Path, waiting to deceive the unwary through false promises of liberty. These false advocates are themselves slaves to sin, steeped in moral ruin by their greedy motivations and decadent practices (2Pet.2: 3, 14–18). They twist the Christian concept of liberty into a license for sinning (Rom. 6:12-14). Praise God! We are already walking in “the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom.8:21).