Thesis: To teach the hearer what the liberty “in Christ” does, and does not, consist of.
Text: Gal 2:1-5;
Gal 2:1 Then after fourteen years I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
Gal 2:2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, (though privately before those who seemed influential) in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
Gal 2:3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
Gal 2:4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our (liberty) freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery (bondage)—
Gal 2:5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for (continue, remain with) you.
Introduction,
There are many these days that have the wrong conception of just what the gospel is, they believe it only consists of a couple facts concerning the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, yet it is very clear that the NT teaches that the gospel in its fullness contains . . .
1) Facts to believe (John 20:30-31; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Heb 11:6; etc.),
2) Commands to obey (Acts 10:48a; 17:30; John 4:24; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Pet 1:15; Rev 2:10b, etc.),
3) Promises to receive (1 Cor 15:22-23; Eph 1:3; 1 Thess 4:16-17; Tit 1:2; Rev 21:3-7; etc.), and
4) Warnings to heed (Mt 10:28; Luke 12:1-13:9; John 8:24; 1 Cor 10:12; Col 2:8; 2 Thess 1:6-9; Heb 2:1-4; 10:26-29; etc.).
And this is easily proved in this epistle, certain men were preaching a different gospel (Gal 1:6-9), yet this letter addresses not problems concerning “the facts of Christ,” but rather it sets forth “the Faith of Christ” against “the Law of Moses,” one was a temporary tutor, and the other was to last to the end time (Mt 28:20) and would enable its followers to become sons of God, Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise (Gal 3:26-29), yet some were attempting to mingle the precepts of the two, the specifics brought forth in the text were circumcision and the keeping of holy days.
Another area where there is much misunderstanding is that concerning the “liberty” or “freedom” which is in Christ Jesus, and our text directly addresses this subject.
The main thrust of this epistle (which is actually seen scattered throughout many of the NT epistles) is that certain Christians who were former Jews were attempting to bring parts of the Law of Moses into the gospel of Christ, we commonly refer to these men as “Judaizers,” these are those who are dealt with in Acts chapter 15.
One of the major concepts that oftentimes is not brought into the interpretation of the scriptures by many is the fact that the bible is not written “to us,” but rather “for us,” as seen in this epistle, it is addressed “to the churches (assemblies, congregations) of Galatia” (Gal 1:2).
It is not directly addressed to me, nor you, nor any person that is alive today, unless that person is 2,000 years old and a member of one of the Galatian congregations, but it is addressed to Christians; thus those that have believed and obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ can consider this to mean something to them today.
For it is by the once and for all delivered Faith that we should live (John 6:63), because it is by that once and for delivered Faith by which we will be judged (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
But we need to consider carefully what is being brought forth in a text, “first” we see what it meant for those in that day, and “then” make the “proper” application; for instance, many read this epistle and believe that it teaches that there is no longer any law of any sort today, and that is true in a sense, we are not under law but under grace (Rom 6:14), yet the bible plainly teaches that God’s law of one sort or another has always been in effect, today we not without law, but are “under (self-imposed) law to Christ: (1 Cor 9:21) living by “the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2), also referred to as “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2), “the perfect law, the law of liberty” (Ja 1:25), that law which God would put into Christian’s minds, and write it upon their hearts (Heb 8:10).
Therefore the New Covenant does contain law, rules, precepts, yet we are not under them arbitrarily, but rather willingly, God wants us to understand their purpose and embrace them and live through them, for the bible teaches that if there is no law, there is no sin (Rom 4:15), because sin is simply the breaking of God’s laws (1 John 3:4), thus God didn’t really need to send a Savior, but merely take away law, and sin would cease to exist, man would be saved.
But God’s plan, the gospel, is much more fuller than that, it forgives sin, it forgets sin, and it transforms it adherents through that perfect law those who would fight against sin instead of loving and embracing it, and the gospel makes them (the imperfect) perfectly suited for heaven.
Therefore it’s easy to see, in this commonly made misapplication, that we need to properly assess a text, “then” make the proper application, the lesson we learn concerning law from epistles like Galatians is “we don’t add to the pure and simple gospel (2 Cor 11:3), it is perfect, just as God designed it and unleashed it some 2,000 years ago.”
Therefore in today’s lesson, we will be looking at the subject of the “liberty that we have in Christ Jesus” and specifically . . .
1) “Liberty in Christ, its WRONGFUL APPLICATION” (2 Pet 2:1-19; Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 2:16)
2) “Liberty in Christ, its RELEASE” (2 Cor 3:15-17; Gal 2:4; 5:1)
3) “Liberty in Christ, its RESULTS” (John 8:31-32)
I. “LIBERTY IN CHRIST, ITS WRONGFUL APPLICATION” (2 Pet 2:1-19)
2Pe 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them (Jn 14:6, e.g. chrislam, interfaith) bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many will follow their sensuality (divorce and remarriage, sex apart from marriage, sodomy, lesbianism, etc.), and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed (evil spoken of).
2Pe 2:3 And in their greed (they will be money-lovers) they will exploit you with false words (twisting the scriptures trying to teach that these sins are actually approved of God). Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
2Pe 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell (lit. Tartarus; the deepest abyss in Hades) and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;(this is a reference to the book of Enoch)
2Pe 2:5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald (preacher) of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2Pe 2:6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the (those that live) ungodly; (God actually promises to destroy those like Sodom who live like Sodom; Jub 16:5-9)
2Pe 2:7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked
2Pe 2:8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);
2Pe 2:9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials (temptation), and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,
2Pe 2:10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion (sodomy/lesbianism, etc.) and despise authority (of God). Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones (speak evil of angels),
2Pe 2:11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction,
2Pe 2:13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.
2Pe 2:14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!
2Pe 2:15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,
2Pe 2:16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
A. (v 17)
2Pe 2:17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness (blackness of darkness) has been reserved.
These false teachers are described as “springs without water (waterless springs),” in other words they would promise the refreshing blessings of God to the sin sick, as a spring promises water to the thirsty, but neither would be able to deliver, they were without living water, without true divine instruction.
They are also described as “mists driven by a storm,” this speaks of the first sprinkling of rain that oftentimes precedes a storm and the first sign of a good soaking rain to come, yet they are merely mists, there is no substantial rain to come.
The same is often brought forth today by teachers of false doctrines, they will give just enough, scripture, just enough truth, to keep their hearers interested, to think they are really hearing the truth, but will fall short of telling them what they really need to hear to the saving of their souls.
For these teachers “the gloom of darkness (blackness of darkness)” has been reserved; this is simply another phrase that helps our finite minds more clearly understand the many horrors reserved for the unrighteous, Jesus gave this abode a similar description in Mt 25:30 . . .
Mat 25:30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Clearly this is a place that no person wants to inhabit, therefore we need to take heed that we don’t fall into the false teachings of these ravening wolves, for by their fruits we can know them (Mt 7:16). What are their fruits? Their teachings, are they aligned with the bible? Their lives and speech, their disciples, are they set apart “from” the world and “to” God? Their manner of dress, their speech and other aspects of their lives, are they modest? Are their marriages scriptural? Are the first things that come out of their mouths about money, or about God? Do they defend the Truth or do they hold the I’m OK your OK attitude commonly seen in this age of ecumenicism? These are some of their fruits that should be easily seen today. This brings to mind the instruction in 1 Jn 4:1 . . .
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We test the spirits of individuals by these means, and it is easy for the spiritual to see, are they following the Spirit, or the flesh? Are they loving the world, or God? For these are opposed one to another (Gal 5:16-17; 1 Jn 2:15-17).
B. (v 18)
2Pe 2:18 For, speaking out arrogant words of vanity, they entice by fleshly desires (lusts), by sensuality, those who (are) barely escape(ing) from the ones that live in error; (NASB)
These utter great sounding words, but they are empty, they are the musings of men, and not the power of God (Heb 4:12).
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It’s sad that there is so little truth, and so much error being taught in the religious world today, while people are starving for that food that perishes not, that which able to build you up unto the life eternal.
Our Lord said (Mt 4:4). . .
Mat 4:4 . . . Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
These false teachers entice the lusts of the flesh, promote sensuality, instead of holiness, true love; they promise power, a place of high standing in this world, earthly riches, these are not the right ways of the Lord.
For Christ said (Mt 20:16, 25-28; Mk 7:21-23).
Mat 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last."
Mat 20:25 "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Mat 20:26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
Mat 20:27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
Mat 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
These in are context are enticed by “fleshly lusts, sensuality” this can be seen today in the approval of multiple marriages, marital relations apart from marriage, sodomy, lesbianism, LBGTQ-LMNOP-an ever growing list of ungodly abominations.
Basically these men were teaching, promising, and feeding upon the carnal nature of people, they were getting them to look back, at the world, for earthly rewards, among worldly people, which can never satisfy the longing, empty, sin severed soul, Jesus says . . . (Lk 9:62; Ps 107:9).
Luk 9:62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Psa 107:9 For HE (God) satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul HE (God) fills with good things.
And these false teachers came just when these people were beginning to follow the truth of the gospel, they were just beginning to come out from among the sinful people and ways of the world and they were leading them right back into it, for it is written (2 Cor 6:14-18) . . .
2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
C. (v 19)
2Pe 2:19 They promise (promising) them freedom (liberty), but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
These teachers were promising liberty, they were telling them eat, drink and be merry, live like the world, just don’t go out and commit civil crimes (whatever the government decides those are today; e.g. speaking against same sex marriage), if it feels good, do it, and if it’s on your mind, speak it, because you’re OK in Christ, you’re free, rejoice!!!!
But the point being made is this, these teachers, like their followers, like many in the religious world today, were not following the teachings of the pure gospel of Christ, they weren’t looking above to heaven, and living like it (Col 3:1-4), living holy lives unto God, without which no one is going to make it to heaven (Heb 12:14), but they were living lives like everyone else, they were darkness not light (Mt 5:13-16), and therefore they were servants (slaves) of physical and spiritual corruptions, and not of God and Christ (1 John 2:15-17; Mt 6:24).
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lust) of the flesh and the desires (lust) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does (keeps doing; present active participle) the will of God abides forever.
Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Because the truth is you are always a servant, a slave, to something or someone (John 8:34; Rom 6:16).
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Rom 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Therefore the liberty promised by those back then, and many today is “not” the liberty spoken of in the bible, “liberty” is synonymous with “freedom, independence,” not with “license.”
“My will be done” is nothing more than the selfishness which leads to the eternal fires of Hell.
But when one follows the true liberty of the gospel, “Thy will be done” (Mt 26:39, 42) instead of mine, this is that road which leads to eternal life, and is true freedom, as depicted in (Gal 5:13; 1 Cor 10:24).
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
And also in (1 Pet 2:15-16).
1Pe 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1Pe 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil (cloak for maliciousness, wickedness), but living as servants of God.
Therefore the proper application of one’s liberty in Christ Jesus is purposed to enable us to be selfless servants, in order that we may attain heights in the kingdom of God, as servants of God and others, not self, imitating Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Cor 11:1; look at Phili 2:5-12).
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Php 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Php 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Php 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus (which means“Jehovah is salvation”) every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Php 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
And what is His good pleasure? 1 Tim 2:4 . . .
1Ti 2:4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
That’s what happens when people hear and believe the Truth, let us bring it forth in this time of deception
II. “LIBERTY IN CHRIST, ITS RELEASE” (2 Cor 3:15-17)
A. (v 15)
2Co 3:15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.
In the 1st century and even today, when the Pentateuch is read there is a figurative veil upon the hearts, the minds, of the followers of Judaism, why is that? Because of their over 1,000 additions to the law, their misconceptions and misinterpretations of the law, thinking that it was the final revelation from God, and was meant to last forever, being focused upon more the physical, than the spiritual, the corruptible instead of the incorruptible, therefore they were blinded to the clear truths within it concerning … a prophet like unto Moses, a new Lawgiver, which is Christ (Deut 18:15-19), … of a New Covenant to come (Jer 31:31), … concerning that kingdom made without hands which would be set up in the days of the Roman kings (Dan 2:44).
Sadly the same is true today in the religions of men, and of those without religion, they are blinded by the god of this world (Satan; 2 Cor 4:4) through unbelief, through their misconceptions of God and His will for man, through their Catechisms, creed books, prayer books, confessions and opinions.
Those without men’s religion believe that they can refrain from civil crimes, say a couple prayers in their bedrooms at night, believing that they are actually going to heaven, all the while they are in and of the world (1 Jn 2:15-17), unholy and ungodly (1 Pet 1:15), without God and without hope (Eph 2:12), not fit to be in the presence of a most holy God (Heb 12:14).
Then there are those that are following the religions of men, and not of God, that have rewritten God’s word where it doesn’t fit into their practices or beliefs (Rev 22:18-19), and follow their traditions that make void the word of God (Mt 15:8-9) and in this they think that they also can make it through that narrow gate, that difficult way that leads to life (Mt 7:13-14).
You show them what the bible teaches concerning a believer’s immersion for the forgiveness of sins (Mk 16:16; John 3:5), that faith only doesn’t not save (Ja 2:17, 24, 26), that women are not permitted to speak (1 Cor 13:34), let alone teach in an assembly with men in it (1 Tim 2:12), that the only type of music authorized in worship to God by King Jesus is vocal music (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), that the bible only authorizes a collection for needy saints within the confines of the assembly (1 Cor 16:1), then they start getting upset.
Then you tell them that marriage is to be one husband and one wife for life (Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:39) and any remarriage while ones spouse is living constitutes active adultery (Mk 10:11-12; Lk 16:18), that practicing homosexuals and lesbians won’t go to heaven (Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10), in fact that sensuality defiles you in the sight of God (Mk 7:20-23), that abortion is murder (Rom 13:6; Rev 21:8), and that money loving (greed) will also disqualify you from the eternal inheritance (1 Cor 6:10), and they blow their top, they tell you that you are dead wrong.
Yet these are clear statements made within the pages of inspiration, and are the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 3:2), and anyone that does not agree with these is to be subject to church discipline (2 Thess 3:14), and they say also, “oh, that is way too harsh,” yet these are the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Thess 3:6, 14), Jesus says “if you love Me you will keep My commandments” (Jn 14:15).
B. (v 16)
2Co 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
But when one concedes that the New Covenant means what it says, and they believe it with all their heart, soul mind and strength, and they turn to the Lord according to His will, and not theirs, then they receive the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13), Who basically gives us the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:10-16) and that veil is taken away.
And then the true light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the visible image of the invisible God, dawns upon them.
They are able to see the great wisdom and the profound nature of the gospel, and how it all fits together perfectly (Jn 3:3), what was once a troubling puzzle (Col 2:3), now becomes a rule for life (Jn 14:6), in all its simplicity, its pureness, its perfection (2 Cor 11:3; Ja 1:25).
C. (v 17)
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (liberty).
God is one in purpose (Deut 6:4; Jn 17:21; Ja 2:19) yet each Member of the Godhead is distinct (Father, Son, Holy Spirit; Mt 3:16-17), Christ is the Spirit in the sense of agency (Rom 8:9)
Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Christ sent the Spirit from heaven (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 2:33), but only under the confines of the truth of the gospel of Christ does one receive the heart and eye opening Holy Spirit (not the Law of Moses, nor the religions of men, nor ones’ own opinions) which also brought forth the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit, it is written in (Gal 3:2, 5; Rom 10:17).
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Gal 3:5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
And in the apostolic times these miraculous manifestations brought about the teachings that we have recorded in our New Testaments (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21).
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2Pe 1:21 No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction. (GW)
And those that follow that teaching, that let the word of Christ dwell in them richly (Col 3:16), that let those teachings rule their lives, the spirit of Christ dwells in them through faith (Eph 3:17; 2 John 9b)
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
2Jn 1:9b Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
And they are released from the bondage of the Law of Moses (Gal 2:4), dead to that law (Rom 7:4), that which was a curse to be under (Gal 3:10-13), that yoke that which those under it were not able to bear (Gal 5:1; Acts 15:10).
Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (bondage).
And it’s able to release those then and today, who are heavy laden by sin, who are following the doctrines of men, thinking they are free, but actually are the captives of corruption that they have allowed in their lives through other gospels, and deniers of many points of the pure doctrine of Christ.
Those that think that Christ didn’t mean what He said while He was on earth, and that which He spoke through His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit (which basically makes up our New Testaments today ) should think upon this statement by the Lord (Luke 9:26) . . .
Luk 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
But those who walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16), who mind the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5), that are led by the Spirit delivered gospel of Christ (Rom 8:14), who are biblical sons of God, for them “there is liberty” (Ja 1:25) . . .
Jas 1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres (continues), being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts (works), he will be blessed in his doing.
Like a train on its tracks, going freely full speed ahead, on a course to heaven, predetermined by the Almighty God, not having to worry about what may cross their paths, if a deer jumps out before a car, that car is smashed up, the trip is over, but if a deer jumps out before a train, it merely seems like a bump in the road (poor deer:( the train keeps moving towards its goal, let us therefore not attempt to take our trip to heaven in the cars of men, but in the locomotive of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, which nothing can stop (look at Rom 8:35-39).
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The point being made here is in Christ our focus is changed, it’s not about earth, but heaven, it’s not about the perishable, but the imperishable, which we in fact are (1 Pet 3:4), not our bodies (not until the end of time; 1 Cor 15:42), but rather our spirits which return back to God Who gave them (Eccl 12:7; Lk 23:46), this is the truth that will set you free (Jn 8:31-32).
III. “LIBERTY IN CHRIST, ITS RESULTS” (John 8:31-32)
A. (v 31)
Joh 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, (then) you are truly my disciples,
Note that these Jews believed Jesus, but they were “not” truly His disciples, belief that does not manifest itself in the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26), obedience to the gospel (Rom 10:16; KJV), is simply not enough. Belief is the crossover point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), but God’s will is for one to “continue” in the process, “faith” “belief” simply put is one of the first steps to becoming a true disciple of Christ, a Christian, a “Christianos” which is one owned by Christ, one that is redeemed by Christ. One who is bought and owned by Christ. These, as well as we, have to abide in His word (2 John 9).
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
This word “abide” here is translated from the Greek word “meno” it means “to remain, not to depart, to continue in, to dwell, to endure,” therefore this basically means to “live in,” or “live according to” even when the going gets rough. Let us note that “abide” does not mean “perfection”, but rather “practice”, Jesus was perfect for us so that we have the leeway to be able to grow in the grace and knowledge that is in Christ (2 Pet 3:18), that we may be able to grow “into Him in all things” (Eph 4:15), instead of being disappointed in view of our shortcomings.
The person that practices, that continues to live according to the word of Christ, the teaching of Christ, the doctrine of Christ, that person is truly Christ’s disciple, all others are “false disciples,” “false brethren” as those depicted by Paul in our opening passage (Gal 2:4).
In this context, the Jews of Jesus’ day said thus to Him when He implied they were not free (look at John 8:33-36).
Joh 8:33 They answered him, "We are offspring (the seed) of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Joh 8:35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
Joh 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
In a household servants (slaves; i.e. hired-hands) would come and go, but family members stay part of the family, therefore when we are born again into the family of God through Jesus, God’s Son, we remain part of that family forever, and in it we are not slaves to sin, lovers of sin, but enemies of sin, and we are perfect according to sin because of the work of Jesus, we become the righteousness of God in Him as we walk according to the Spirit, in the light of God’s word.
Again note that these Jews had a misconception concerning their status with God, and a misconception concerning the purpose of the Law, they were servants of sin, there were some things that the Law of Moses was not designed to do, (to permanently forgive and forget sin, to transform one into the likeness of God were not on the list of things which it could do), it was designed by God as a temporary stop gap measure until the coming of Christ, and His Perfect Law (Gal 3:19; Ja 1:25) for imperfect mankind.
B. (v 32)
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set (make) you free."
But those that would abide in the Truth, (God’s word is Truth; John 17:17), the word of Christ, those that would continue to dwell therein, to make it their practice of life and not depart, these would know the truth.
It’s sort of funny in a way, one reads the New Testament at first and you think, “well this can’t mean what it says, God couldn’t possibly expect this from me,” and then you do some searching and “what do you know” there are some (many), religions of men that agree with this concept, yet the bible clearly states that this would happen (turn to 2 Tim 4:3-4) . . .
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
And most often times these people follow these teachers, and lo and behold, they drink, they dance sensually, they go to casinos attempting to fulfill their love of money, they are in and of the world and the lusts thereof, they live their lives as though as though there is no accountability before God, they seek after the things of the world, and they find and love the things of the world. Then the day of their death comes upon them, and it’s a terrible situation, this person is not free, he has merely put off the inevitable (Heb 9:27).
Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
Oh, Jesus couldn’t have mean what He said, surely most people are going to heaven, aren’t they? He plainly stated (Mt 7:13-14) . . .
Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
These people, that follow their own misconceptions about God and His ways, that follow the religions of men, and not the word of Christ, that difficult way, are not free, and they never will be if they don’t repent, believe, and obey from the heart (Rom 6:17-18).
But there is another group of people, they are looked at with scorn by those of the world, and by most of the so called religious world, as they were in New Testament times.
They are classified as crackpots, extremists, fanatics because they believe and follow the teachings of the New Testament to the best of their God given abilities (Phili 2:12-13).
These don’t say … “the bible don’t mean that” or “it’s not for us today” or even worse yet “that does not belong in the bible.”
They believe that the Faith has been once and for all time delivered in its entirety in the 1st century, just like the bible says (Jude 3), they believe that “all the Truth” was delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit through certain men chosen of God (John 16:13).
And most importantly they live lives according to the only gospel (Jn 8:31-32; 2 Jn 1:9), that one Faith and are amazed on how it really means what it says, how it lines up perfectly with each and every statement made therein, concerning persecutions from within and without, concerning the blessings that God’s providence gives to those who are called according to His purpose, concerning the transformation process, the renewal that takes place more and more, with each and every day, those that humble themselves under the mighty hand of God according to His will, and cry unto Him “Abba, Father!”
When you abide in the truth, you know it’s the truth, and you will know what it means to be free.
i. Free from the Law of Moses (Gal 5:1; Rom 7:1-7)
ii. Free from man made religions (Gal 4:8-9)
iii. Free from the superstitions of men (2 Cor 5:7; Rom 10:17)
iv. Free from the guilt of sin (John 8:32; John 17:17; Heb 10:1-10; 17-18)
v. Free from the love of sin (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Thess 2:10-12)
vi. Free from the practice of sin (John 8:34; 2 Pet 2:19; 1 John 3:9)
vii. Free from the consequences of sin (Rom 6:23)
viii. Free from worry (Mt 6:25-34; Phili 4:6-8; Heb 13:5-6; 1 Pet 5:7)
ix. Free from the fear of death (Heb 2:14-15)
x. Free from this world (Col 3:1-4)
xi. And freedom from relying on one’s own strength (Mt 4:4; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 6:10; Phili 2:13)
And because one’s focus is not primarily upon the things of earth, but upon heaven (Col 3:1-4), where the true, eternal treasures are found (Mt 6:21), this results in the peace that surpasses understanding (Phili 4:7), that which those whose mind’s are focused primarily upon physical things (as opposed to spiritual) cannot truly comprehend nor possess.
Yet in Christ there would be a simple plan of salvation, simple worship, and simple church organization (2 Cor 11:3), freeing those from the complex and burdensome traditions of men which oftentimes result in vain worship (Mt 15:9).
We need to remember that “liberty,” “freedom,” and “independence” are synonymous terms, “Liberty” does not mean “license.”
“In Christ” the rule is not “what ever I want” but rather “Thy will be done” not “mine” because we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).
We are to put God 1st, others 2nd, and trust God to care for us as we walk in the light of His word (Mt 6:33), as our Lord said “if you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples; and you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31b-32), and the first steps to abiding in Christ’s word is one’s initial response to His gospel,
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (John 1:1; 8:24; Col 2:9; Heb 1:8); Who died for our sins, Who was raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-4), Who ascended into heaven (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:51; Acts 1:9), Who is our Forerunner (1 Cor 15:23; Heb 6:20), our Living Hope (1 Pet 1:3-4); “Belief” (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of being saved (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), but we need to continue to abide in Jesus’ word to be made free, therefore . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, determining to leave that yoke of sin and the false teachings of men behind.
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9).
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
One is to . . .
Be Baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) unto (for) the remission of
Sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16); where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34); baptism is the point wherein one is to determine to be dead to sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11)
One is to . . .
And live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15) , determined to abide in the doctrine of Christ, thereby taking His yoke which gets lighter day by day by day, knowing that Truth, and being made free, until that eternal day dawns, and our living hope is realized.