Give Me Liberty

It was Thomas Jefferson who said "We hold these things 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.

March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry delivered a speech named for its last few words, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” Henry believed that the American cause was just and that God was behind it. “Besides, Sir,” he wrote, “we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.”

Henry detested a life of submission to the British. He believed in freedom. He believed in freedom even when it cost something. He knew that freedom wasn’t free. It had to be purchased at a great price. Listen to the closing sentences of his speech.

“Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 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!”

Patrick Henry’s speech has struck a chord in the hearts of Americans from that day until now. Its power comes from the dramatic contrast between liberty and death. There are times when we may have life but not liberty. This was no life for him. Liberty was worth the price that had to be paid. Henry, however, was not the first to develop this idea. In fact, it originated in the book he loved and revered: the Bible.

Galatians 5:1 NASB95

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Turn with me to Galatians 5:13-18

I. LIBERTY'S CALL - Vs. 13 –

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;"

John 8:31–36 NASB95

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

II. LIBERTY'S CAUTION - Vs. 13 -

“...only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,”

1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB95

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB95

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

III. LIBERTY'S CONDUCT - Vss. 13-16

1. Serve each other in love. - "...but by love serve one

another."

John 13:35 NASB95

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." - Vs. 14

Luke 10:36–37 NASB95

“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

3. Don't "bite and devour". - Vs. 15

James 1:26 NASB95

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

James 3:5–6 NASB95

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

4. "Walk in the Spirit." - Vs. 16

Romans 8:5–9 NASB95

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

IV. LIBERTY'S CONFLICT - Vss. 17-18

1. The conflict is between the Spirit and the flesh.

- Vs. 17

Romans 7:23–8:2 NASB95

but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

2. We are to be led by the Spirit. - Vs. 18

Romans 8:14 NASB95

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.