"A RIGHT PERSPECTIVE ON FREEDOM!"

Written and preached by David P. Nolte

GALATIANS 5:1-13

1. FREEDOM IS A THING TO BE GREATLY VALUED:
1. We need to consider again and again the cost of freedom. Freedom is not free. Freedom no cheap thing; it was and always will be purchased at a high price.
2. Think of the cost of our national liberties :
1. Our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in the cause of liberty and for that they were tortured, hunted and hanged. Their homes were plundered and burned. But they paid the price.
2. America's finest have and still are paying the price for freedom. Not our alone, but for that of the Iraqis and those in Afghanistan and other parts of the world.
1. They, too, have forfeited home, comforts, education, career, and even their very lives.
2. Far too many have been cut down before they blossom, and die before they live.
3. Some of you have risked paying the ultimate price for our freedom, and for that we thank you.
3. Think of that greater cost of our spiritual liberty - our salvation from sin and wrath.
1. We often forget the rejection, the broken heart, the sweat, the blood, the tears, the mental, physical, and spiritual anguish Jesus endured to pay the price to save us.
2. Heaven's finest willingly forfeited His heavenly position, and as Paul wrote, "Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form He obediently humbled Himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT). How many of us would die for our enemies? Would we shed our blood so those hostile to us could live? Would we give it all?
4. Freedom, a thing to be greatly valued. Sometimes a trapped animal, particularly nursing mothers, will be so desperate to escape the trap that it will literally chew off the ensnared leg. Nathan Hale is famous for saying the dying words, "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Patrick Henry said, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" That's how greatly they value freedom; more than even life itself.

2. FREEDOM IS A THING TO BE GUARDED VIGILANTLY:
1. Note verse 1: "Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Freedom is not an inherent commodity. It can be neglected, taken for granted, and it can be lost! America has no unconditional claim on unending liberty! Even now our liberty is being eroded. The rights of those in the wrong seem greater than the rights of those in the right!
2. Our American liberties must be guarded and to do that:
1. Practice fundamental good citizenship:
1. exercise your right to vote.
2. express yourselves rationally, clearly and maturely to the legislators of our country.
3. follow the Biblical admonition to pray for those in government positions - even those you don't like or agree with.
4. some of you ought to get involved in political office and bring Christian ethics to bear on public policy.
5. be prepared, if need be, pay price others paid.
2. But more importantly, remember that freedom is always and intimately connected with faithfulness and godliness. When a nation lapses into idolatry and other sin, freedom vanishes: we read, "They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so He handed them over to marauders who stole their possessions. He sold them to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them." Judges 2:13-14 (NLT).
3. And remember, conversely, when a nation is faithful to the Living God, freedom is assured:
1. "What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people He has chosen for His own." Psalms 33:12 (NLT).
2. "Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34 (NLT).
3. The most patriotic thing you can do is bring Christ to America and America to Christ. The most powerful liberty protector is to put "in God we trust" into the very fibre of society and to make "one nation, under God" a living truth!
4. I don't know how many godly folk would be needed to keep America safe and free, but it would have only taken 10 in Sodom for that immoral city to be spared!
3. We are warned about falling asleep in our spiritual freedom; we are counseled to guard it vigilantly:
1. "Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" Matthew 26:41 (NLT).
2. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT). Satan wants us to
1. compromise a little here and there on moral and ethical principles.
2. be enamored more and more with the materialistic.
3. embrace or accommodate untruth and doctrinal error and immorality in the name of "tolerance."
3. "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1 (NIV).
4. We've been warned and advised: freedom is fragile and we ignore that truth at our own peril. In 1967, a group of young people were hiking in Glacier National Park when they met another group coming out who warned them that they had just been chased by a Grizzly bear and that they should turn around. They young people laughed and ignored the warning. They set up camp and were in their sleeping bags when a huge Grizzly came near. The youth tried to stay motionless as he sniffed their bags. The bear grabbed one bag and drug it into the brush with the 19 year old girl crying, "He's ripping my arm! My God, I'm dead." Later when rangers shot the bear there were bits of human flesh on his claws. The tragedy would have been averted if the warning had been heeded. Freedom is fragile, guard it vigilantly.

3. FREEDOM IS A THING TO BE GUIDED VIRTUOUSLY:
1. Note verse 13: "For you have been called to live in freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 (NLT). That agrees with what Peter wrote, "You are not slaves; you are free. But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil. You are free to live as God's slaves." 1 Peter 2:16 (NLT). Freedom has parameters and boundaries:
1. Freedom of speech is limited to preclude slander or libel or perjury or falsely yelling, "Fire!" in a crowded room.
2. Freedom to possess is limited by laws against stealing or fraud or extortion.
3. Freedom to swing your fist ends where another's nose begins.
4. Love puts parameters on our actions and behavior and does nothing out of selfishness or disregard for others.
5. Paul wrote, "But you must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT).
2. There is a vast difference between license and liberty!
1. License is
1. Excessive, exorbitant, unrestrained freedom; it is irresponsible laxity and self-indulgence.
2. Abuse of, and contempt for, any restrictions of law or interference by others.
2. Liberty is
1. Freedom from unnecessary restraint but freedom that is limited for the safety and well being of society.
2. Freedom to move and choose and act but within parameters curtailing our offense or harm to others.
3. Liberty is not the right to do or say whatever we want, whenever we want, wherever we want with no regard to the rights and needs of others; it is not license sin, or to gratify every whim, or to take advantage of others; it is not living with no accountability.
3. We are not free to do whatever we want, we are free to do as we ought. Someone was discussing ideas with Henry Clay and told him that if he pursued his ideas, it would cost him the presidency. Clay asked, "But are my ideas right?" The friend agreed that they were right. Clay said, "Well, I'd rather be right than be president." Virtue guided his philosophy. Virtue needs to guide our freedom.

Jesus Christ calls us to freedom; responsible freedom; not to do whatsoever we wish but freedom to do as we ought! Freedom to be what He calls us to be and enables us to be when we allow Him to rule in our lives! You can be free if you let His truth reign in your life; you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. We are free to choose what we'll do with Jesus; let Him in! Let Him rule! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; be free in Christ. He calls you to that freedom; He waits your reply; Let it be, "Lead us, Lord" / "Jesus, I come!"

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