July 2nd – Liberty and Freedom For All

Seeing that we are starting our 4

th

of July week and all that goes with it, I want to address the differences between freedom and liberty and how that applies biblically to us.

Like many people, I suspect, I’ve always thought of the words 

 and 

 as meaning the same thing.  In speeches and written pieces they are used pretty much as synonyms.   But several weeks ago I heard a commentary on NPR 

 in which the commentator distinguished between the words in a way which makes all kinds of sense.

is a state of being capable of making decisions without external control.

, on the other hand, is 

 which has been granted to a people by an external control.

————————————————————–

In an article written by a blog named

in December of 2016, the blog gives the explanation of the differences between Liberty and Freedom by using the Declaration of Independence and the newly formed United States of America in its relationship to England as the example:

One paragraph toward the end of the declaration of independence reads, “

 declared that the King of England had undertaken such actions as limited the 

 of citizens of the newly-established colony in America.   By his actions the people were restricted and controlled in an unjust way.  The complaint was not just about rules and regulations; it declared that the very nature of

 had been violated.

It is a powerful statement, in which the assembled leadership of the new country identifies the concept of

 and declares itself to be capable of granting 

 to the people of the emerging nation.  The difference is clear:   people are, by nature, meant to live in 

, and the new government will grant such 

 to its citizens.

With that thought in mind, I choose to pursue that thought along spiritual lines.

is a state of being capable of making decisions without external control.

, on the other hand, is 

 which has been granted to a people by an external control.

(NKJ)

 NKJ)

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men–

16

as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. (1Pe 2:15 NKJ)

, [

] The Jews pretended that they were a free people, and owed allegiance to God alone; hence, they were continually rebelling against the Roman government, to which God had subjected them because of their rebellion against him: thus they used their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness-for a pretext of rebellion, and, by it endeavored to vindicate their seditious and rebellious conduct.

“Do not use liberty as a cloak for vice…”

Reason, Purpose, Excuse!

– Greek word is literally translated,

= malice, ill-will, desire to injure

: Sometimes we just use our liberty as an excuse or reason to sin.

: But Sin has it’s consequences!

The same needs to be said of us, our faith, our relationship to God and our Liberty and our Freedom.

———————————————————-

Freedom

All though we have experienced and live in a constant place of

(granted to us by work of cross) we are still free to make choices.

(Choices)

I would say to us today that we have a

, a duty, an

to live in repentance in pursuit of a standard of biblical holiness (separateness).

: Where we work or who we work for: we have responsibilities, duties and obligations that should be met.

: Quotes about Making Life Choices

Romans 6:1-2, “

(NKJ)

[

.]

, Let it not be; by no means; far from it; let not such a thing be mentioned! – Any of these is the meaning of the Greek phrase, which

: and is not properly rendered by our “God forbid!” For, though this may express the same thing, yet it is not proper to make the sacred NAME so familiar on such occasions.

: When it comes to spiritual or biblical choices here are some of the results:

:

1

Accompanying Benefits:

1 Peace

2. Hope

3. Confidence

4. Joy