“Don’t Give Up Your Freedom”

Galatians 4:28-5:1

28) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29) But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30) Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

I

t is often difficult for the saint of God to understand the concept of “freedom” accompanying salvation. People all over the World (but particularly in the United States) are trying to achieve this elusive state. By this, it would appear that all want freedom, but unfortunately, most have no idea of what true freedom really is.

Contrary to popular belief, freedom is not that which allows one to do as he pleases. Why? Because of the biblical teaching about the desires of the flesh. We are taught about that these are the things which truly bind, for unless they are kept “in check,” we will mind the things of the flesh. So, one who feels free to smoke, finds himself in bondage to tobacco. Likewise, one who feels free to use drugs and or drink alcohol, finds himself bound to and by these things.

In that the mind we have is predisposed to commit sin, it must be changed. This is accomplished only through the “new birth” of the Spirit. The mind (the center of our motivation) can then be directed to do good. Imagine being free from our mind, which is one of the greatest enemies.

Our text scripture informs us that Hagar, the “bondwoman,” was not to be a part of the promise. In like manner, one bound to the flesh, cannot be a part of God’s promise.

The Lord wants us to understand that our freedom has not and will never come from anyone but Him. The freedom mankind first enjoyed at Creation (which was usurped by the devil) could never be restored by a belief in Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Theresa. Only Jesus Christ has what it takes to restore our liberty. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that the devil seeks to destroy our relationship with the Lord by destroying our relationship with our fellowman. Thereby, he destroys our freedom.

There are other ways in which the devil tries to get us to “…give up our freedom.” Our scripture text states that we (the redeemed) are not the children of the bondwoman (the natural), but of the free (that is, spiritual).Therefore, we cannot conduct ourselves in bondage, acting as children of the bondwoman. Although those who are natural will persecute those who are spiritual (according to verse 29) our concern need not be for those outside, but for the enemy within, that is the flesh. The people of God cannot afford to mind the flesh!

Satan also attempts to get us back under bondage by convincing us that doing the spiritual thing is “foolish.” Of course, this is undoubtedly much easier when our attempts at living spiritually are infrequent.

Why is the issue of “freedom” so crucial? Because those who see us must know that we are free so that they, too, can be won.

The strength it took to fight one type of physical bondage is the effort we must exert to maintain our freedom. Once we are out, we must stay out. The Lord paid too high a price for us to be made free. Besides, our purpose in being saved is to help others out of bondage—and that cannot be done if we are still bound, ourselves. Just think how much more these words should mean to the saint of God: “Free at Last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty, I’m Free at Last!”