What is freedom?
Listen: 133.2
Growing up in the ‘60’s, we all wanted freedom. We sang about it, talked about it, marched for it, but in reality, most of us didn’t know what real freedom was. I suppose we wanted the freedom to do whatever we wanted to do, but soon realized that that is not freedom at all. That was slavery. The greatest freedom is the freedom from being the servant of sin. Perhaps many do not realize that they are, indeed, indentured slaves to sin. Very often, we think we are in control, but in reality, we are being led by our own sinful lusts and desires. Romans 3:23says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We all have committed acts that are sinful, everyone one of us; to deny that, is to close your eyes and deny an obvious reality.
Let’s consider the words of the Lord Jesus in John 8:34-36, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” As sinners, we are the servants of sin. We are helpless to rid ourselves of this harsh taskmaster. How often we want to stop living lives of sin, but find ourselves continually drawn back under its spell. Without Christ, we are trapped in servitude to our sinful nature. The Lord goes on to tell us that the servant does not abide forever in the house. That means that the servant has no legal claim to the household. He is but a slave and has no relationship to the owner of the house. Those who have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her savior, have no relationship with God. It is only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that we are brought into a relationship with the Lord. The Lord Jesus said in John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Romans 6:16tells us, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” As sinners, men naturally yield themselves and become the servants of sin. However, if we yield ourselves to the Lord, and obey His command to be saved, we become the righteous children of God. We become ‘free indeed’. Has the Lord truly commanded us to be saved? Indeed He has! Listen to His words to Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” The Lord commands us to be born again, or to be born from above, by trusting in Him as our savior. To refuse His offer of salvation is disobedience.
Now let’s read Romans 6:17-18, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” True freedom is found in being free from the power and penalty of sin and becoming servants of righteousness. Freedom is found in servant hood? Yes, it surely is! It is only those who know Christ as their savior that have the power and privilege of beings servants of the Most High God. As Romans 6:22tells us, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” As we read earlier, if Christ makes us free, then, and only then, are we truly free. It is by being a servant of the Lord that we are free and find rest. In Matthew 11:29the Lord says to us, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” 1 Corinthians 7:22tells us, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” (133.2)