Political and Spiritual Freedom
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 ESV
Happy July 4th – Independence day! I have been thinking about the parallel between political freedom and spiritual freedom. This verse above is a good one for Paul’s statement, among many others of spiritual freedom from the bondage of law and sin and human efforts to attain salvation.
Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence” is the document signed on this day in 1776 that declared a separation and freedom of 13 English Colonies, from the political ties and the political bondage to Great Britain.
Our history reveals that our political freedom was “declared.” It then had to be “won.” And freedom must also be guarded or maintained.
The 13 Colonies of Great Britain “declared” themselves independent but they really became “free” when the final war for independence was fought on September 3, 1783, followed by the signing of the treaty documents on January 14, 1784.
Finally the Constitutional Convention resulted in the new constitution for the Republic being signed on September 17, 1787.
It as after this convention that a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, “What kind of government have you given us?” He responded, “A republic if you can keep it!”
We then see the greatest test of the nation come in 1860 with the Civil War after the election of Abraham Lincoln. “Four score and seven years” after Thomas Jefferson wrote, “…these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States….” Lincoln pledged on the fields of the Gettysburg battleground, “….that the nation, [conceived in liberty and the proposition all men are created equal] shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Spiritually our freedom in Christ must be declared, secured and maintained. Unlike political freedom, spiritual freedom is not “our” efforts but trusting in that which Christ has provided. However, there must be a desire to secure that life, the gift of freedom from sin and receive life in Christ.
We must understand that the “gravitational’ of the “world” and our own “flesh” as the apostle John describes, as does Paul, constantly “war” against our spiritual freedom. We “hold this truth,” Christ has set us free, or in Paul’s words, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free…” (Galatians 5:1 NKJV)
Liberty spiritually, like freedom politically requires vigilance. We see it in Paul’s words.
“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be strong, be courageous…” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
“Walk as children of light….and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:8-11 ESV)
“…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV)
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11 ESV)
Peter says, “…be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)
Freedom! It is one thing to declare. It is another to secure. It is another to maintain.
Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You for the freedom we have politically in our nation and for those who have “kept it.” Thank you for winning the battle for our spiritual freedom. Let us be vigilant and eternally grateful for the life that we have in You.