Freedom

Introduction

Independence Day.

Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Britain. It is a very important day for every American to observe, you see, the early colonialists had been living under oppression. They were taxed beyond their ability to burden and were stripped of their ability to defend themselves and forced to quarter the king’s troops in their homes at their own expense. In short, they were pushed beyond their patience.

You know the story, having suffered a great number of injustices under the tyrannical had of King George, the Americans finally took a stand against the king.

They got together in Philadelphia where they would sign a declaration so radical and would begin an undertaking so harrowing, that they knew that to sign the document meant death if they failed.

They were so commited to the cause of forming a new nation that they were willing to risk it all and so on the final sentence of this grand declaration they wrote the following:

"...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Providence in the end, did indeed supply the victory and though the cost was high, they never wavered.

Why?

Well these were godly men, inspired by God and motivated by righteousness. These were men of faith.

Our Freedom

Jesus promises us freedom. We know the scripture verses. We name them, claim them, and proclaim them. We let people know that we are free, we know that we have been freed from the ultimate consequence of sin which is a life separate from Jesus. We know that we are not to be slaves to sin, we know that we can be free from sickness, we hear the testimonies of people that have been delivered from the bondage of addiction. We know of people here in our church whom God has rescued from financial catastrophe through supernatural means. We know we are to live free. The truth is, if we’re honest with ourselves we’ll see that we, as Christians are not really any freer than the world around us.

What I mean is this, we Christians often allow the world to steal our joy because we are in bondage to it.

What does it mean to be free indeed? Let’s take a look at two of the major types of bondage we face in the church today.

Fear of Man

Fear of the Truth

Let’s start out by looking at what God’s blueprint for Freedom is:

Romans 6:15–23 NKJV

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We can see that freedom does not mean anarchy. With our freedom comes boundaries. We understand this to some degree when it comes to boundaries that God places on us in regards to sin, but realize that it doesn’t end there. We need to have healthy boundaries in our relationships but we don’t. In our relationships with our employers, co-workers, churches, and even in our marriages, we don’t respect boundaries.

But boundaries keep us from each other, they keep us from loving fully right?

Not exactly. A lack of boundaries keeps us from life.

The Law of the Kite

The freedom to fly is related to the string. The very thing that holds the kite to earth is what keeps it in the sky. Cut the string, and what will happen to the kite? It will fall. But the string, which seems to bind it, allows it to fly.

With that in mind allow me to ask two questions:

What is a river?

What is a puddle?

Consider what happens to a river, it is shallow, but it has life, where the water is shallow and does not move, we call that a puddle. Even lakes and ponds have depth to them, but ultimately even the deepest bodies of water have movement- their depth gives them the mass to stay in motion. A puddle has neither depth nor motion, and is stagnant, what makes a river different from a puddle? Boundaries. The banks of the river give it a boundary and therefore a path to follow. Then the life can be found in the river because of this motion.

Our lives are the same, we must have boundaries, and so God places boundaries on us in terms of keeping us from behavior that is destructive to us and moving us toward behavior that will edify us, or build us up. Our relationships with each other have to be the same.

God loves us so much, that he keeps us in check- gives us boundaries that we are not to cross, so if we are to love like God, it is not unheard of for us to place boundaries on the people with whom we associate. The question then, is what kinds of boundaries?

Personal boundaries are the limits we set in relationships that allow us to protect ourselves from being manipulated by, or enmeshed with, emotionally needy others. Such boundaries come from having a good sense of our own place in God’s economy. They make it possible for us to separate our own thoughts and feelings from those of others and to take responsibility for what we think, feel and do.

We are, all of us uniquely created, and boundaries allow us to rejoice in who God has created us to be. Healthy intact boundaries are flexible, they allow us to get close to others when it is appropriate and to maintain our distance when we might be harmed by getting too close. Good boundaries protect us from becoming engulfed in abusive relationships and pave the way to achieving true intimacy.

A lack of boundaries is what directly leads to co-dependence. In these situations, the unmet needs are sometimes so overwhelming that something as fundamental as the task of raising children is demoted to a secondary role.

Consider the role of the father or mother who screams at his/her children or becomes physically, verbally or emotionally abusive with them. They are self-centered not God-centered. Or how about that temperamental employee or that boss with the hair-trigger temper: they fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. These behaviors can be clearly seen as being behaviors that should not be tolerated in a healthy relationship. They clearly cross a boundary of common decency and are an affront to God himself because if we are created in His image, then we must be respectful of the divine nature of His children. If we are in such a relationship, the inclination as Christians would be to be tolerant of them in order to help them change, the problem is that these are people that are in desperate need of a savior, and you are not that savior!

A godly boundary therefore, would be to respect yourself as a child of God, and to remove yourself from such hostility.

They are in desperate need of a savior, but it is important to remember that you are NOT that savior! Jesus is the only savior,

Proverbs 19:19 NKJV

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

It is easy to want to rescue, but the Bible is clear on this, if we try to be the rescuer we may have some temporary and fleeting success, but we will not see enduring change we will not see the transformation that comes only from a work of God.

But this type of behavior is easy to identify, what about behavior that is so subtle as to not be noticed, behavior that comes with gracious and kind words.

Proverbs 20:19 NKJV

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

Romans 16:17–19 NKJV

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

The Bible lays out a clear warning to stay away from a certain type of individual. This is the individual that is a “Talebearer” that individual comes to cause divisions and offenses, the individual comes around to flatter you with words but the Bible is clear. Their motivation is self-serving. This phenomenon is very easy to see when you look at teenage girls interacting. We see the drama that surrounds their little groups. So and so said so and so..

We see it in churches too. Why is it so often that the very people that proclaim and shout about their loyalty to the pastor are the very ones who are scheming behind his back? I went through two major church splits at Grace Chapel, each time it was the individuals that were the loudest in proclaiming their loyalty to Pastor John that eventually led the split. The typical M.O. of these people is to come to share with you “a burden” they have for the pastor, they trust you as a “leader” or a “mature Christian” with the information and tell you that you should pray for the pastor and be there to have his back, somehow in the end, they will turn on him. Remember what happened with Shem Ham and Japheth?

Genesis 9:20–27 NKJV

And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” And he said: “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.”

God takes this transgression seriously. We must be wary of such people.

Women all over America remain in abusive and unhealthy relationships because they live with a flatterer. They continue to endure the abuse because their abuser is a flattering charmer! They clearly have failed to erect appropriate boundaries. They are convinced that “this time, he really means it.” or “If I just stay a little longer, I know he’ll change, he’s got a good heart.”

Please hear me! I’m not an advocate of divorce. I think it’s an abomination, I’ve gone through it and I know the devastation it creates. However, I’m convinced that God is more concerned with the individual than He is the marriage. If the marriage is deeply emotionally and/or physically abusive, then it’s imperative that a woman (or a man) get out of that relationship temporarily until he or she knows it will be safe physically and emotionally for him or her to return. It is irresponsible for us as a church to be so dogmatic that we don’t understand the devastation that can be caused by abusive relationships.

1 Corinthians 7:10–15 NKJV

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

I believe that where he states even if she does depart, he’s making an accommodation for an abusive relationship (notice that he does not make the same accommodation for the man). If the man then leaves or divorces his wife or commits adultery, she is no longer under obligation to be the marriage according to verse 15.

So what is the underlying cause of this bondage? It is very simple.

John 12:42–43 NKJV

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

We don’t believe what God says. Did I step on some toes? Sorry, next time I’ll warn you so you can pick your feet up. We are eager to be seen a certain way, our pride and our ego cause us to fall into an alliance with men rather than servitude to the most high God.

When we remember that our primary purpose in life is to serve God, then we are free of the bondage of trying to please men.

1 Corinthians 4:1–4 NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

How amazing is it then to be a Servant of the Most High? You are judged by none but your master. This should be a really a great encouragement to us! What must we do then? Be found faithful by HIM. Not by the pastor, not by or our employers nor coworkers, or even our spouse! All of these people are bound to have ulterior motives- no exceptions. The only one we should be trying to please is God.

Psalm 118:4–9 NKJV

Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.” I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.

FEAR OF THE TRUTH

The second thing that binds us is our fear of the truth. We fear hearing what the doctor’s report is, we fear checking our account balance, we fear finding out the truth about our spouse, we are bound up in a fear that keeps us wanting that happy and blissful ignorance. What does the Word have to say about this?

John 8:31–32 NKJV

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The truth makes us free! Is it difficult to face the truth? You bet it is! But if we’re honest with ourselves, intrinsically we already know the truth, yet we hide our head in the sand so as not to have to face it. We are most loathe to hear the truth about ourselves. Consider David after he had committed adultery and murder. Did Samuel come right out and confront him about the truth? No, he had to get his guard down and provoke his righteous indignation by spinning this story about a man and his sheep. Only then was David able to see the truth. What was the result of David’s profession of truth? One of the most powerful Psalms in the Bible:

Psalm 51 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David When Nathan the Prophet Went to Him, After He Had Gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

How then does the truth set us free? Simple really. It causes us to look at our need and see that we lack the ability to meet it on our own. Whatever mountain stands before you, you cannot traverse it without God’s help.

James 4:3b NKJV

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

We get no help if we don’t ask for it. There is an old saying out there that I really hate! Each time I hear it I want to cringe, because it is so theologically incorrect. It goes like this: “God helps those who help themselves.” BARF!! No, the biblical truth is this:

“God helps those who recognize their need for help and ask for it!”

Putting it All Together

The key is to recognize your need for help. If you refuse to face the truth, you will never get the help you need.

When I wag going through my divorce, I did not want to face the truth that something was terribly wrong in my marriage. I did not want to acknowledge that there was a lack of faithfulness there. Here we were, pasturing our own church with a new baby girl. How could there really be something that wrong? But in my gut I knew the truth. I knew that there had been betrayal, PROPHETICALLY I knew it, yet I feared confronting the truth. When I did, that started a whole chain of events. In the end my marriage wasn’t restored…

… I WAS! God loved me so much He restored ME!

We won’t always get what we ask for when we ask God for his help. We will always get God’s best. Could it be that we refuse to know the truth because we kind of already know what God’s got in mind for us? Could it be that God has already been dealing with us about certain issues, and like David, we know that He’s right?

David’s son with Bathsheba died. But David lived, he was transformed, and he became what God wanted him to be. HE was restored, and he was set free from the snares of sin.

Church, there are two things in life that keep us in the most bondage; the fear of people, and fear of the truth. The answer to both is God. If we love and serve God first and foremost without reservations, without caring what others thing of us, and if we love his truth more than we love our fantasy world, then we will be able to be Free indeed.