Is Christianity Freedom from Sin or Bondage to Rules?
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
– John Adams July 3, 1776
Congress made its decree for freedom on July 2, 1776, but was not formally adopted until July 4th. Click here for more information on the history of July 4th.
The Fourth of July was a proclamation of freedom from the British Crown. It was a call to be independent and free of the constraints of being under British rule. A freedom that was worth fighting for and believing in. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a nation that allows freedom of speech and honors freedom of religion. America is not perfect, but it has stood for freedom and independence over tyranny for more than two centuries. These are things that I pray our current culture will continue to value, uphold and fight for.
John 8:36
Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.
On this Independence Day, I want to remind you that Christ died for us to live within a different, but similar kind of freedom. A relief from rules and bondage that had traditionally held the Israelites to work toward and be worthy of redemption ONLY through abiding to the strict levitical law and constant sacrifice. When I spend time reading the Old Testament I feel so blessed to be able to READ through and not LIVE through times of constant sacrifice for my sins and the sins of my family. I am not saying we should be unconcerned with sin today, but our daily life should display the love of Jesus. Our faith shouldn’t be evident by how strictly we follow a set of established rules governed by the religious elite. For Christ’s sacrifice I am so grateful, both now and eternally to be set free.
So many non-Christians and unfortunately some Christians as well, still feel that faith in Christ is bondage to outdated rules and practices. They are sadly mistaken.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me [Jesus], all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Fighting fleshly temptations with human willpower is a heavy burden to do battle against. Christ died for your sins, they belong to HIM. Do not be weary and burdened by the trials of the world and flesh, Jesus brings rest!!! If you will surrender your struggles God will give you peace. I am not telling you that the Bible promises that we will not have difficulty, actually scripture tells us we definitely WILL have troubles in this life. However, I would much prefer those troubles trusting in God’s guidance instead of my own strength and perceptions.
In Philippians Paul shares that he was a shrewd follower of the law, that he was indeed “faultless” when it came to acts of righteousness – both physical in nature and personal behavior. There are many that would have described me as a “goody two-shoes” for much of my life, even then I would never have been referred to as “faultless” by anyone. That is quite the statement! Who refers to themselves as “faultless”? Even with this reputation for upholding the law, Paul considers all this a loss, actually referring to the priorities of his earlier life as “garbage”. The righteousness he received through salvation removed the burden to chase after a self-earned righteousness. Paul’s relationship with Christ breaking him free of abiding by laws and expectations is a beautiful picture of true freedom. He was considered one of the religious elite and yet considered his prior status garbage. Now Paul describes himself as RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH. FREEDOM THROUGH FAITH.
Philippians 3:4-9
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Whats more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Christ has set us FREE, it is not a burden to be a Christian.
Galatians 5: 4-6
4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
If you find yourself striving to live up to God’s standards and earn your redemption, you have separated yourself from Christ. Christ paid the price for your redemption, freely receive it.
Galatians 5: 13, 16-17
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
God wants us to be free, not enslaved. If you are in the Spirit, meaning you have accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, then walk by the Spirit and desire what the Spirit desires.
Galatians 5: 22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Read that last verse again. Maybe reread it several times. It is so powerful!!!!
THOSE who belong to CHRIST have CRUCIFIED the flesh with its PASSIONS and DESIRES. The world can say that Christians don’t have fun and are stuck attempting to be good little rule followers. Let me tell you though, CRUCIFIED PASSIONS and DESIRES doesn’t sound like a battle against the flesh to me.
That sounds like freedom!!!!
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