Christian Liberty

by Kristin
from Virtuous Daughters, September 2012~Volume 12, Number 6

Liberty is the result of the belief that right is greater than wrong, not equal to it. We have been raised in a culture that believes that right and wrong are equal, opposing forces, and we can try really hard to oppose wrong, but we probably won’t win in the end, because that evil out there is just too strong. This view does not generate liberty, but bondage, because it results in the fear of man, and not of God, and ultimately is humanism. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be exalted” (Proverbs 29:25

   I have recently become aware of this tendency in myself, to act like right is equal to wrong. Like Peter, I become inspired, and pledge to be true to my Lord, to stand alone, though all others forsake me, to fight for what I believe, to never, ever give in or be ashamed. But when I encounter those of differing beliefs, what happens to my lofty resolves? They tend to crumble, and I am silent when I ought to speak, and weak when I ought to stand on the principles in which I believe.
  
When faced with opposing belief systems, it is easy for me to switch perspectives, seeing things from the other person’s viewpoint. The result is that my worldview looks pretty fanatical and not very understandable. Why even try to explain something so radical and different from anything they have ever heard before? Actually, my beliefs are fanatical, laughable, and totally radical from the world’s perspective, and they are getting more and more radical. “But the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
  
Thought at times I may feel defeated, I have come to the realization that the Kingdom of Christ is on the advance. He has already gained the victory, and it is our awesome privilege to join Him as His kingdom spreads! “The increase of His government and peace shall have none end: He shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to stablish it with judgment, and with justice, from henceforth, even forever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7, emphasis mine) A lot of Christians feel like they are just hanging on until Jesus comes again, but they are totally missing out on the big picture. Christ has already won the battle for all time between good and evil (Matthew 12:28–28; John 12:31). Is it not just like our God to have a plan of victory, and not defeat? Christ did not come only to save us from sin, but to usher in His glorious kingdom, alongside His helpmeet, the Church. We really do have the right to speak up. Christ earned it for us with every lash of the whip, and every pounding of the nails into His flesh. He earned the right for us to proclaim and claim truth and victory in every age. This is our Father’s world, not the enemy’s. We must not deny Christ, or be ashamed of His name, His principles, or our calling. The stakes are high, not necessarily for Christ’s reign, for that is not up to us, but for our participation in it.
  
Ideas do have consequences, and we really will act on what we believe. When we sing hymns like “O Worship the King,” or “Rejoice, the Lord is King,” do we really think about what we are proclaiming? Notice verse 3 of the latter: “His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n.” Do we really act like that is true? Do we really believe this? Who has the right to rule here, the philosophers of this world, or Christ? “Beware lest there be any man that spoil you through philosophy, and vain deceit, through the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8)
  
The fear of man brings a snare. It can feel like a death grip, and that is not Christian liberty, is it? The cure is a proper fear of God. “Sanctify the Lord of hosts, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13) The “Lord of hosts” is the God of battles. He is strong, able, and victorious, and we need fear none but Him. It was said of Stonewall Jackson that the fear of God was the only fear he knew. Can you imagine the changes that would take place in our lives if we really lived that way? I think we as daughters can emulate this as we give gracious answers of truth to those who ask. We are distressed by politicians who do not honor Christ in their legislation, their words, or their lives. We think America’s future depends on them, but in a large degree, it depends on us. The first institution God ordained is the family. It is of the vital importance in the Kingdom of God, and subsequently in our country. So every time a daughter puts herself under her father’s authority, every time she resolves to stand in the face of a world that may not understand, every time she obeys Christ, there is more hope for our beloved America. Do not give up on America because she seems to be on a downward course. It was not always that way. God can use reformation to effect great changes in a land. He has done it before, and it is my hope and belief that He will do it again. I see the seeds of the first reformation spreading now in our own era, and I am looking for it to burst into bloom. We must not underestimate the faithfulness of a few, and may the Lord cause those numbers to swell.
  
​It is hard, very hard, for me to be bold. For some of you, this will come easier. Please pray for me, that I would stand firm on my beliefs, and be willing to speak up when I should, with grace and kindness; I will pray for you, too. We must remember that the Word of God is our authority. Because God said it, that is the reason we embrace it. He has given us a Book that is the final answer for all of life. Because some will not accept this is not a reason for us to try to prove that it really is true. It is enough for us that God said it. So let’s claim our true liberty, the freedom to serve Christ without cowering beneath the world’s philosophies of death. They have no hold on us. “...Worthy is the Lamb that was killed, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and praise” (Revelation 5:12)