Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!
Today’s Verse:
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ~2 Corinthians 3:17
Today marks the celebration of America’s declaration of independence from the oppression of Great Britain. It marks the date when America established the charter that described our freedom and liberty. Today, America is 243 years old as a nation. Leading to this great declaration were the valiant proclamations of men like Patrick Henry. It was Mr. Henry who said, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” This morning, we want to consider the subject of liberty.
There is the deliverance in liberty.
Liberty speaks to us loudly about freedom. In the city of Philadelphia is the display of the Liberty Bell. That bell is a beautiful symbol of the liberty our country attained when it declared itself free from tyrannical rule. However, there is the liberty that is given to every soul that comes to God for forgiveness of sin and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Aside from Christ, there is no other means of liberty. All other methods that men seek to procure the liberty of their soul from the condemnation of sin are a failure. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can set a sinner free!
There is the dynamic in liberty.
Liberty means a person can breathe the fresh air of freedom! Liberty means the shackles of sin are broken. Liberty means “no condemnation!” Liberty means opportunities! Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”! There is no liberty in the law, good works, ceremonies, and repeated rituals. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” There is a new start in life. There is a new Lord and Master Whom we are under. We are sons of God who have been vested with promises for successful spiritual living. “We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” We are living lives that are on the winning side and not on the losing side.
There is the dwelling in liberty.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” When we get saved, the Holy Spirit takes up immediate residence in us. He permanently indwells us. He is the confidence that we are God’s possession. He is our Comforter during times of turmoil and upheaval. He is our control center for a victorious life. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is power! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is completeness! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is answered prayer.
There is the directive to liberty.
America has greatly strayed from its bearings. It is at the crossroads and leaning in the direction headed to destruction. It is a nation that has removed God from the public sector and blasphemes Him in its social circles. Where God is missing, there is bondage. We must have a return to liberty! From a practical standpoint, if we are living in defeat and discouragement because of sin, there is bondage. It is time to seek the liberty of the Spirit again. We must confess our sins, and, with a contrite heart, call upon the Lord for His power once again. Let us be a people that return to liberty.
Take time today to pray for your family, for your church, and for America. Pray that there will be a return to the only liberty that can set us free. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”!
Have a Spirit-filled God morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 106-107