Declaration of Dependence: For Liberty

In the United States, the month of July marks our birth; for it was in this month on the 4^th, 1776 that the Second Continental Congress ratified the document known as the Declaration of Independence.  In this Declaration, Thomas Jefferson penned one of the most influential statements of the English language.  He wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today marks the second of three messages in a series: Declaration of Dependence.  We shall look into the inalienable right of Liberty.

What is liberty? Wikipedia defines liberty as ‘the ability of individuals to have agency (control over their own actions).’  Synonyms include: autonomy, birthright, emancipation, self-determination, sovereignty.  The word that comes to my mind is FREEDOM - Freedom to live and act as you choose.

Our base text for today is found in 2 cor. 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  The liberty, or freedom, talked about here is more political freedom, religious freedom, or financial freedom.  It doesn't matter whether you are red, yellow, black, or white; rich or poor; male or female, citizen or alien – liberty is available to all.

Men fight for freedom, for liberty, but the battle has already been fought.  .”  Spiritual freedom is the most powerful freedom that there is – it is the freedom of being free from sin.  How many of us have felt the grip of sin in our lives? How many of us have felt the oppression that sin can cause? How many of us have felt guilt – and remorse because of sin? I would venture to say that all of us have felt the bonds of sin at one time or another. We have all been slaves to sin. 

Let there be no doubt in your mind that God has the power to set you free. He has the power to set you free from the slavery of sin. He has the power to set you free from the penalty of sin. He has the power to set you free from the guilt of sin. He has the power to set you free from the death of sin.  May we never forget – “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.” There is freedom.The price for freedom has been paid.  Your liberty is secure, but it is dependent upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

For the full message shared on 07-12-12 at First Church of God, Racine, WI go to:
Declaration of Dependence: For Liberty

(Thanks to Charles Spurgeon for inspiration and content for this message.)