The proper concept of liberty is one that both our society and religious culture of today needs to consider. It is supplied by Paul in his letter to the Galatians.
“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” (Galatians 5:13).
Liberty is a wonderful thing. Biblically, it indicates liberty from the bondage of sin. When we become Christians, God’s grace (given through the death of His Son) grants us full forgiveness, and salvation. The position sin held previously in our lives, as domineering master, is removed. We are born again, free in Christ, given hope, accepted of God. In our society liberty indicates freedom from tyranny — that the government exists as a servant to, and to benefit the people, rather than people being slaves to civil authorities.
For liberty in either of these cases to remain, we must recognize the cost of said liberty, and the requirements to maintain it. For example in a private letter at the beginning of our country, Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” We have seen this to be true over and over through our history. And yet, in our day and time is seems that liberty has turned into anarchy. Too many are crying about their rights and their privileges, while the country seems unwilling to consider the obligations and sacrifices which must be made to keep the country free.
The same can be said religiously. Our freedom was also purchased with blood. The blood of Jesus Christ. What should be our response? Consider Paul’s words, written in Romans 6, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). Put simply, unless we act responsibly our sin will lead again to entanglement. That is why Paul wrote, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
We can’t compel our country to accept the sacrifices that accompany freedom, but we can demand that very thing of ourselves, and of our brethren in Christ. We are free! Do not use our “liberty as a cloak for vice”! (cf. 1 Peter 2:16).
