Let Freedom Ring!

Galatians 5:1:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondag” (King James).

Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage (Darby).

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage (American Standard).

It was for freedom that Christ has set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Common Edition).

For freedom Christ frees us! Stand firm, then, and be not again enthralled with the yoke of slavery (Concordant).

For freedom did Christ make us free; stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage (Weymouth).

According to Galatians 5:1 Christ freed us for the purpose of freedom! He freed us to be free – not entangled again into bondage. He freed us to experience freedom. God wants us free, living in our freedom in Christ. If we are not breathing the freedom for which Christ made us free, then we are ensnared in bondage.

The Liberation of Truth

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

We should never be afraid of the truth. Truth liberates, while error enslaves; and the bondage that comes from error is far more binding than that of a physical prison.

The entire world around us lies in the deep bondage of error. They are,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Timothy 3:7).

Theirs are,

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth … (I Timothy 6:5).

Truth has never been popular. The masses have never possessed it and its freedom. One of Israel’s sins was that truth had fallen in the streets (Isaiah 59:14). Strangely, the truth will also make enemies:

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:16).

Some “receive not the love of the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:10), and will “not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).

Oh, that we may pray with David of years ago,

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all the day (Psalm 25:4-5).

Have you already been freed by Christ and His truth? Then why are you not living in the place of personal freedom that Christ has provided you then? Who or what is it that has you in bondage?

Perhaps you or others are attempting to fulfill the role of God in your life. Maybe for years you have given way to the endless expectations of yourself and others. Maybe you live a life of manipulation by others; but manipulation is not God’s method. God’s way is freedom, and He wants you to enjoy the freedom to know and be who He has made you to be.

Let freedom ring out in your life. Do not be satisfied to be in bondage of heart and spirit any longer. Be free – for this is why Christ set you free. Be bold enough to live in your freedom. Live your life for an audience of One!

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies
© 2010

Our Call to Take the High Ground

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

In the midst of all the denominational divisions in the body of Christ, we are called to take the high ground. God has united believers into one body by the unity of His Spirit. We do not create this unity; we are to endeavor to keep it.

The sectarian spirit abounds. Regardless of what low, earthly divisions others may embrace, we are called to see fellow believers as only in Christ. This is the ground of our relationship with them, nothing else. We have been called to take the high, the heavenly ground. No matter what others may do, let’s seize the high ground!

Receive each other, as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Romans 15:7).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies

Freedom from “Dead Works”

How much more shall the blood of Christ … purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14).

The “works” referred to here are not “wicked works” (as in Colossians 1:21), but “dead works.” The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ not only frees us from “evil” works, but from the “good” works of religion as well. These “dead works” are “good works” which do not spring forth from the life of God. They are not “divine service” (CLNT). They are not the fruit of divine life; rather, they are simply lifeless. Religion is filled with such works.

Note carefully in the verse the contrast between “dead” works and the “living” God. The “living God” changes our dead-men-working into a divine-dependence upon Him. His organic life in us makes us our Father’s vessels of mercy, His channels of blessing and grace.

That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had before prepared unto glory (Romans 9:23).

Glorious indeed! Live in the full and free expression of Father’s life, rejoicing that even our consciences are cleansed from the dead, lifeless works of religion.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies

The Freedom of Personal Faith

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (Romans 14:5).

To have faith without fear, you sooner or later have to come to terms with what you believe. Not with what a church says you should believe or what a creed says somebody else believed, but with what you actually do believe. Start here. It may not be much, but it’s honest. What’s the gain, anyway, of saying you believe something if you don’t? Or trying to believe something if you don’t? Whom are you fooling? Not God certainly!

Kenneth L. Wilson (1916-?)
Editor of The Christian Herald
Have Faith Without Fear (1970), page 74

Toward Liberty

Organized religion (read corporate church) is a God-ordained monument to the flesh (teaching as doctrines the traditions of men) set in contrast to the Ekklesia, the called-out body of believers (the glorious liberty of the children of God, worshiping in spirit and truth). These are not synonymous. For the vast majority of believers, organized religion is a Divine training ground that sets bondage against liberty, law against grace. Man’s traditions obscure truth. Most believers are, or have been, professing “members” of some corporate church. It is the experience of bondage that makes liberty so sweet.

In contrast, all believers have been placed (called out) into the body by its Head, Christ Jesus our Lord – and in time all will be set free.

Both are a necessary part of Father’s purpose.

Joel Olson
Aphorao

http://aphorao.blogspot.com

Toward Liberty

Organized religion (read corporate church) is a God-ordained monument to the flesh (teaching as doctrines the traditions of men) set in contrast to the Ekklesia, the called-out body of believers (the glorious liberty of the children of God, worshiping in spirit and truth). These are not synonymous. For the vast majority of believers, organized religion is a Divine training ground that sets bondage against liberty, law against grace. Man’s traditions obscure truth. Most believers are, or have been, professing “members” of some corporate church. It is the experience of bondage that makes liberty so sweet.

In contrast, all believers have been placed (called out) into the body by its Head, Christ Jesus our Lord – and in time all will be set free.

Both are a necessary part of Father’s purpose.

Joel Olson
Aphorao

http://aphorao.blogspot.com

Free to Obey

Men have never been given authority by Scripture to make laws for the church that are binding upon Christians. We must be free to obey “The Book.”

John McKay
“The Sin of Dividing the Church”
Journal of Pauline Dispensationalism (2009); Volume 21, Number 83, page 1795

Religious Tunnel-Vision

Bible studies are tailored to fit “Church” doctrines and thinking; emphasizing only the Scriptures they want to promote. Sermons are also directed at the teachings and doctrines of that particular denomination, and you will very seldom hear anything from the pulpit that would be considered controversial. Without realizing it we are “spoon-fed” with the ingredients that will conform us into “one of their own.” The “Church” becomes the interpreter of the Scriptures – after all, the pastors and teachers are the scholars, right?

In the religious environment … you can read the Bible over and over and never see the obvious until you are removed from this “Church”-controlled atmosphere. Often, religion indoctrinates and blinds people with its “tunnel-vision” thinking. Religion itself can be a real “mind binder.” Organized religion is basically for those finding comfort in someone else telling them what the Bible has to say; they prefer not to do any research on their own. In this way the “Church” is in complete control of their thinking. For myself, I have chosen the path of “religious freedom.”

Robert W. Stace
Why Weren’t We Told? (2001), p. 94

Freedom Is to Be Based in Faith and Grace

It is extremely important that we remember that Freedom (as well as all other areas of our lives) is to be based in faith and grace! These indeed are the foundational principles set forth in Romans chapter 14.

Faith

There is the principle of personal faith. Our walk before the Lord is to be one based upon faith! This faith is to be personal, and without the dominion of men.

Whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (Romans 14:5).

Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God (Romans 14:22).

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand (II Corinthians 1:24).

Our walk is to be one borne out of personal faith!

Grace

Then there is the principle of divine grace. God does not want us to judge each other regarding our personal faith. This is a real test of grace in our lives. It is easy to love and accept those who mirror our beliefs and practices – that takes little if any grace; but to love and accept a brother who has differing beliefs and practices requires a work of God’s grace in our hearts. What it really takes is the willingness to give up our assumed dominion over the lives of others.

Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Romans 15:7).

Who are you who judges another man’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls … (Romans 14:4).

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you set aside your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).

God has called us to a life of grace, not law – a life that proceeds from the heart and love, not from externals. Do we by grace afford others the liberty to study the Bible for themselves? Do we permit them to come to their own position of personal faith before God? Do we allow them to walk in accordance with that faith to His glory as an act of worship? Do we let them live their lives heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men?

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2007, 2010

Our Freedom in Christ and Love

Restrictions of the law are, under grace, fulfilled in one word – love. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love will never hurt or defraud one’s neighbor.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet;” and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10).

For, brothers, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-14).

As members of Christ’s Body, we are neighbors.

… Speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:25).

Love is the fulfilling of the law. This is why, to the pure, all things are pure, and there is nothing unclean of itself. This is why love is eternally bound to grace. Grace is the absence of law, and there is no need for a law where love is genuinely present … “and the greatest of these is love.”

Unto the pure all things are pure … (Titus 1:15).

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself … (Romans 14:14).

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (I Corinthians 10:23).

And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2007, 2010