Liberty By Christ Or Bondage Under Law

Q: What does the Bible say about liberty in Christ?

The Bible teaches that Christ has made us free from the bondage of the law, encouraging us to stand firm in this liberty (Galatians 5:1). The Apostle Paul emphasizes in Galatians 5:1 that believers are called to stand fast in the liberty that Christ has provided. This liberty is freedom from the law's bondage, signifying that our salvation and relationship with God are secured solely through Jesus Christ's work. Consequently, believers are to embrace this freedom and not return to the restrictions of the law, which does not contribute to our salvation but rather entangles us. This liberty allows believers to truly live in the grace of God, free from the debt of sin and the condemnation of the law.

Q: How do we know Jesus' work is sufficient for salvation?

Scripture affirms that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, highlighting His completed work on the cross as fully sufficient (Ephesians 2:8-9). The sufficiency of Christ's work for salvation is a cornerstone of Reformed theology, rooted in scriptural declarations such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which articulate that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. The work of Christ on the cross fulfills the demands of the law, rendering all efforts to achieve righteousness through our merit futile. This underscores the grace of God, establishing that our salvation is solely through the merits of Jesus rather than any personal righteousness we might attempt to muster.

Q: Why is choosing liberty over law important for Christians?

Choosing liberty in Christ empowers believers to live righteously rather than under the condemnation of the law (Galatians 5:1-4). Choosing liberty over the law is crucial for Christians as it directly affects our relationship with God and how we live our lives. Galatians 5:1-4 highlights that returning to the law for justification cannot result in righteousness but leads to bondage. Embracing the liberty provided by Christ allows believers to live in a way that honors Him, fulfilling His commands out of love and gratitude rather than obligation. This transformation is evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit and can only be realized when we rest in the grace of God rather than striving to earn His favor through our attempts at law-keeping.

Q: What are the consequences of falling from grace?

Falling from grace involves turning away from the gospel's truth and seeking justification through the law, which leads to spiritual ruin (Galatians 5:4). Falling from grace, as described in Galatians 5:4, occurs when believers attempt to find righteousness through the law instead of the grace provided in Christ. This act signifies a departure from the gospel message and results in spiritual peril, as such individuals become entangled in a system of works that cannot bear the weight of their sin. The consequences of this choice are dire; instead of living in the freedom of Christ's grace, they revert to a state where they are subject to the law's demands, which, due to our inherent sinfulness, we can never fulfill. This state leads to a lack of assurance and peace in one's relationship with God.

Q: How can Christians maintain their liberty in Christ?

Christians can maintain their liberty by regularly walking in the Spirit and not yielding to the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Maintaining liberty in Christ is tied to the believer's daily walk in the Spirit, as articulated in Galatians 5:16, which instructs believers to walk in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh. This involves a conscious choice to submit to God's leading rather than succumbing to our sinful nature. Engaging in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers fortifies our understanding of God's truth, empowering us to live in the liberty Christ provides. Thus, our liberty is not a license to sin but a call to live in obedience and love, reflecting Christ's character as we navigate our lives.

All right, if you wish to follow along, turn to Galatians chapter five. Now, it's been, like I said, it's been three Sundays since I've been here, and I did look back over my notes, and I've been on Galatians five, verse one, the past, the last two Sundays that I was here, and I plan on preaching from Galatians five, verse one, one more message, at least, on this verse in particular.

And let's read that verse again this morning. where Paul, of course, is continuing, and he says, stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Now, I realize that some people may think that Maybe we speak, I speak, and Joe, or Paul, and other men that we know that preach the Christ of God, that we emphasize some of these things too much, but remember this small letter here, Paul's relentless. He doesn't let up on the same subject over and over and over. And we are now, now in chapter five, Paul is about to enter into the subject of our walk. And I'm not gonna deal with that this morning in particular, of course. But even as he comes to our walk, he's still relentless, he's still hammering on this thing that salvation is through the person and work of Jesus Christ from start, all throughout the middle, all the way to the end.

It's all through the person and work of Jesus Christ. And my title for this morning would be this, Liberty by Christ or Bondage Under Law. I'm gonna make a statement here and then I'll try to give some scriptural background for why I state this. Think about it, liberty by Christ or bondage under law. And this is what Paul is indicating here, stand fast therefore. in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.

That's the positive instruction. And then here is the negative, if you will, instruction. And be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. And I will say this, it's not in my notes, but the messages I just mentioned a few moments ago about Earl preaching, and I'm on number eight of those messages, and it was about, or it was from Earl's messages, Christ the High Priest in the book of Hebrews. Some of you may remember it, you may not.

But it was amazing to me how he states, is stating this very truth, that the believer is not under any part of the law whatsoever. They are under the authority of Jesus Christ. I mean, just, it's clear. He come right out and just even, we're not even under the Ten Commandments. He come right out and state that.

And I just gotta say this, I guess, to get it off my chest, you know, as we often say. It's amazing to me how somebody then that could have been in this group all of that time, turn around and say, Earl, don't preach like y'all preaching now. It's just sad. It's just sad.

Because the proof's in the pudding, as we say. It's recorded, Jack, you can go back and listen to what he preached, who he preached, how he preached. Remember, Paul was relentless. Now think of this, our wise God, has so ordained his promise of salvation so that nothing else can compete with his son and his son's grace. That's why we, that's why Paul, that's why Earl, that's why Joe, Paul, all these other preachers, myself, that's why we hammer on this thing. It's not just about standing up for a particular doctrine. or a particular view of the Bible. It's about standing up for, it's about proclaiming the king rights of Jesus Christ the Lord.

God is magnified through the personal work of his son, and there only, if you leave Christ out of any part of God's purpose and God's promise, then you abandon the honor and the glory of God. So again, our wise God has so ordained His promise of salvation so that nothing else can compete with His Son and His Son's grace. God will not, according to Isaiah 42 verse eight, I'm not gonna read it, and it's in the messianic context. You go back and read Isaiah 42. It begins speaking of Christ as God's elect. He is the elect one. He is the elect. We are, I can't say I am the elect. We are the elect, but only in him. But he is the one man that was chosen because of his merits. We're chosen in his merits.

But in Isaiah 42 verse eight, in this messianic context, in this messianic prophecy, if you will, God says, I will not share my glory. What's that mean? It means all the glory goes to Jesus Christ. And if you or I, you and I, abandon giving all honor and glory to Jesus Christ, we are, as we will see, God willing, later, we are fallen from grace. Fallen from grace. Then in, I will read this one, Isaiah 48, you don't have to turn to it, I'll be to it pretty quick, but Isaiah 48 and verse 11, It says this, for mine own sake, this is God speaking through Isaiah, for mine own sake, even mine own sake will I do it, for how should my name be polluted?

And I will not give my glory unto another. You see, God doesn't share his glory with us. He just gives us some of that glory. He doesn't share His glory. I know that some may say that's mincing words. He doesn't share His glory with us. That is, we get part of the credit. He simply gives us part of His glory to enjoy. Now let me go on.

If I were to warn you this morning, if I were to say this, and I believe it's a valid warning and I'll try to say why, but now I'm gonna go back to this, this stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, remember that's the positive. The negative instruction is to not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Now here's the question, is there really a choice? Is there really a choice? Are these two truly viable options? Do you really think a choice is to choose bondage over liberty in Christ? Now think about that and what I'm about to say here. If I were to warn you, choose liberty by Christ, rather than bondage under law. The warning has validity only because our fallen nature and only because fallen humanity always chooses the wrong thing. But when push comes to shove, as we say, in truth there is really no choice, is there? You want to choose bondage over liberty? Yet the fact is we know many do, don't they? They choose bondage over liberty. Now think about this.

Turn with me, if you would, to 1 Kings chapter 18. I hope to get through this whole thing this morning, but I don't know that I will, because I don't want to rush through these things. 1 Kings, where is that? There it is. 1 Kings chapter 18, let me get to it.

I'll make my statement, then I'll read one verse and have another passage. Now think about this. Again, I say, if I were to warn you, choose liberty by Christ and not bondage under law, that warning has validity only because fallen humanity and our own fallen flesh always seeks to choose the wrong thing. But in truth, there is really no choice if one has been made to see and to hear and to perceive the truth. Let me give you an example of that. First Kings 18, now look at verse 21. First Kings 18, 21. Now here's something that is, Mac, it's put in the sense, it's asked in the sense of here's a choice between two things, okay? First Kings chapter 18 and verse 21.

And Elijah came unto all the people and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? Now notice here, they're halting between two. In a sense, they had not, Hadn't that really chosen anything, Jack? But no, how long halt ye between two opinions? Now look at the option. I'm using that word for the sake of argument. If the Lord be God, follow him. Well, you might as well just stop right there because he is. Do you see what I'm saying? But why do we even mention the other? Why do we warn about the other? Because fallen humanity, even our own flesh, will choose the wrong thing.

A thing that's not even really a choice. Look at it. If the Lord be God, follow him. But if Baal, then follow him. Now is there really a choice? Is there really a choice? No, no. But humanity loves, we love, I love, my flesh loves it. We love to play up our choice, don't we? We love to play up our choice. Look at it.

If the Lord be God, follow him. But if Baal, then follow him. And here's where we usually stand, and here's where we will stand apart from the grace of God. And the people answered him not a word. Really? I mean, really? You actually think that Baal is a viable option to the Lord God of heaven and earth? You know, the people answered him not a word. Now, turn to Joshua. Here's a similar thing, and I know this is probably familiar to you. Let me find Joshua, Joshua chapter 24. I do hope, let me look at it first to make sure my references are right. Joshua 24, yeah. Now think about this.

I say there really is no choice, but the problem is we have flesh, we have a fallen nature, and we always choose the wrong thing. We'll choose the thing that's not even viable, and I don't know why, other than the fact of this, we hate the truth. That's it, we hate the truth. That's the only answer I can validly give is that we hate the truth. Now listen to Joshua's words, Joshua 24 verse 14. Similar example here.

Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your father served on the other side of the flood and in Egypt, and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve. Now think about how he states that. Is there any other option other than serving the Lord?

Of course not. But we have to deal with ourselves and other men and women where they are. You know, most of the people we deal with are reprobate. You understand that? Most of the people that you deal with, people that you even care about, they are reprobate.

Because God says a small work will he make upon the earth. It is a remnant that God saves. The vast majority of people out there are God-haters, just like we used to be, but we are not now. They are God-haters and they will remain God-haters because God will leave them where they are, but they'll put on a good show.

And look what happened. Look, and if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, does anybody think it's really evil to serve the Lord? Really, no, no. Look, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell, but as for me and my house, now notice he did not say, we will choose the Lord. Now did he? Isn't that what he said? For Joshua, there was no choice. There was no two viable options. Do you see it? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Do you see that? For Joshua, Jack, there was no other choice.

Now what I'm saying this morning is when Paul warns us, stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage, there is no real choice in this matter. But if we walk according to thy flesh, we will choose the bondage rather than the liberty. Now, we will, God willing, look at what this liberty is and what it is not.

God knows there's part of me that wants to get on that so bad I can't hardly stand it, other than to say this. We have liberty in Christ, but as Paul says it, we are never, ever to use, although we sometimes do, and it's called this, S-I-N. It's called rebellion. It's called S-I-N. We are never, ever, ever to use our liberty as an occasion to the flesh.

And the problem is we try to twist that around and say, well, we try to think of the flesh as immoral things, right? As all these immoral things. Some moral things are flesh. Do you hear me? Some moral things are flesh, and choosing them is to what? As Paul says, use our liberty for an occasion to the flesh.

Now, I'm not gonna deal, God willing, Paul deals with some of these things here, but I'm not gonna deal with that now. Again, if I were to warn you, choose liberty or bondage. There really is no choice. But if in the end of it, now remember this, now what I'm gonna say, then I'll back it up by the scripture, by this letter.

If a person knowingly, willingly, with their eyes open, as we say, chooses bondage, they do not know God. Because Paul told these people they had been what? Bewitched, right? They'd been tricked, right? No person who has been born of the Spirit of God who's not being tricked will willingly, knowingly choose the bondage of the law over liberty in Christ Jesus. They will not do it.

Some of you say there are some, are there some things a believer cannot do? Yeah, there are some things you cannot do when you're walking in the Spirit. And there's some things you will not do when you're walking in the Spirit. And again, I say we'll deal with it in more detail later. He says if you walk in the Spirit, you will not what?

You will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The lust of the flesh is always there, but we do not have to fulfill it. And that's just the way it is. And if we do, then we're at fault. And we cannot use God's grace and our liberty as an excuse. So stand fast, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. There really is no other choice, right? Is there any other viable choice?

Now I realize that there are those who even believe in sovereign grace, they believe in the five points, if you will. They believe in the truth of who Christ is and what he accomplished, but they got to add in something to Christ's work. And I'm saying this, if this is all they know and all they've been taught, they are yet to be converted. Now let us face that fact. You and I need to face this fact about people out there. If they've been bewitched, that's one. If they believe the truth, Ellen, and been tricked into something else, understandable, that does happen.

But if all you know is error, you've never been converted because you're converted by the preaching of the T-R-U-T-H, the truth. And somebody says, but you're being too picky. Paul was very picky. He even throws down circumcision. Now what's wrong with circumcision?

Everything if you do it for credit before God. Everything if you do it for merit before God. Everything if you do it for favor before God. And if you choose one part of the law, Paul says that puts you under how many parts of the law? All parts of the law. Paul's the one that brought this up under the inspiration of God, not me. But I am under obligation, Jack, to tell the truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus the Lord.

And then, of course, the flesh says, well, if I'm free, then I can live as I want. I'm not going to be condemned, I'll be okay. No, you may not be condemned, but you will, as Paul wanted to say, not there yet. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. You reap to the flesh, you will reap corruption. Your life will be misery, misery. And you ever wonder why you're miserable? The reason you're miserable is because you're walking after the flesh.

And that includes me too. Because in Christ Jesus, there's liberty. How do I know it's flesh? Because I become miserable trying to do it. Well, I don't care how religious it seems, how righteous it seems. Remember, God says to us through our brother Isaiah the prophet that even, I know this is hard to wrap even my brain around, that even our righteousnesses are like menses clothed in God's sight.

And then I turn around and say, well, there ain't nothing wrong with that. Whose opinion am I coming up with that from? If God tells me it's all right, okay, it's all right. If God doesn't tell you it's all right, it's wrong. Do you get that? Do we get that? Well, what does it matter if I dabble in the law a little bit? Tommy, I'm just trying to be moral. What's wrong with that? What's wrong with it, huh? What's wrong with it? It is if you're trying to gain God's favor or God's blessing or anything. Now I wanna give you six things. And there's my watch. I keep looking back there and the clock's not there.

Number one, the reason some choose law. The reason some choose the yoke of bondage, to choose to be entangled, I'm trying to make sure you know what I'm talking about. The reason some choose the law, the yoke of bondage, and that's why you don't choose one part of the law and say, well, that's not bondage, because if you choose one part and even try to convince yourself, and I'm not trying to keep all the law, you're still under the law. So the reason some people choose that is that they do not truly trust Jesus Christ alone.

They don't think who he is and what he did at Calvary and what he's doing now at the right hand of God the Father is enough. I don't care if they teach he's enough to get you to heaven, but he's not enough to keep you sanctified. That's just not so. My sanctification is him.

And here's one thing about it, although it's impossible for us to do always, when I have my eyes, and I'm not talking about physical eyes, I'm talking about the eye of faith. When I believe God, Jack, I will always walk rightly. It's when I do not believe God that I walk wrongly. Well, to believe, I didn't say believe in God. The devil believes in God and trembles, but the devil doesn't believe God.

So when God says, forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, if I believe God, what am I gonna do? You're gonna assemble. If God says, love one another, and I believe God, what am I gonna do? You're gonna love one another, right? If God says, avoid this and avoid that, this is wrong, this is sin. See, some people think, since we're not under the law, that some things are not sin now. It's still sin. It's still sin not to worship God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. It's still sin to commit fornication. It's still sin to steal. We're just not condemned.

Do you understand that? But I tell you what, we can live miserable lives even as believers when we walk after the flesh. Oh, it may look good for a while, but if you're truly one of God's, eventually God Almighty will bring that to your mind. You'll say, why am I so miserable? Because I'm trying to do this myself. How?

How miserable do you think Abraham felt when Sarah told him, all right, put Hagar and that boy out? How tough was a choice, you think? That was tough. That was his son. And guess how that son came to be? Sarah said, well, you go take care of your wife. We don't find any argument from Abraham on this matter, do we? He jumped on that like a duck on a June bug. He was ready for that. But it caused him trouble the rest of his life. Cause trouble.

The reason people choose, would ever even think to choose law over the liberty that's, an unbeliever, a person who hears this for the first time and has never believed it, Jack, why would they choose law, trying to keep the law to get God's favor, rather than bowing to Christ and believing him? Because the fact is they really don't trust Jesus Christ. They really do not believe he done the work himself.

And it does not the scripture say unto him, him that is able to keep you from falling, right? He's able. Here's the question, do I submit to that? Because do we fall? Now come on, you don't have to physically raise your hand. But do we fall? Yes we do. And when we excuse the fall, we're blaming God. When we try to justify the fall, the fault, now I'm not talking about falling away, I'm not talking about falling miserably, I'm talking about just sinning. And we say, well, I'm not under condemnation. Is that the way you operate in this world? You live the way you live just because you know you won't be condemned for it? God help you, you know? God help you. That's why, here's number two. Keep looking back there, here's number two.

Deceit to be under law in debts, it does, it cannot liberate. I mean, they're actually people. Now, think about how depraved a man or woman is when they keep the law, or at least they think they are. They are trying to keep the law, and they feel good about themselves. Have you ever thought about that? You know there's people out there that think they're keeping the Ten Commandments, right? Now, the question is not are they really. They think they are, and they feel pretty good about it.

You know why? Because they're dead in trespasses and in sins. They are, I don't have the right word I didn't write down, but they're dead to it. They're immune to it. That's probably not the best word. They cannot relate to the fact that I am a corrupt being. My heart is evil from the inside out. So to seek to be under law in debts, it does not liberate. These two things, now you know this. You don't have to be a theologian to know this. Is liberty and bondage ever the same thing?

Can't be, get it? It cannot be. That's why Paul says stand fast. Stand fast. Because think about it. These people were sinning not by doing bad things, immoral things. They were sinning because they were trying to do righteous law things and gain God's favor or blessing by it. Think about that.

I was always taught in falling from grace, I was always taught that was becoming, being a believer and then backsliding. Now you know what backsliding is, right? Being a believer and kind of being faithful and you go to church and you talk to people about the Lord and you try to live right, but then all of a sudden you just fall away from that. You go out and start living like you used to live. That has nothing to do with falling from grace. That's being stupid. You understand that? That's being stupid. At best, it's being stupid.

No, these people were not becoming immoral, they were trying to be moral and think it would give them either justification, sanctification, or perseverance, and it will not. Because one thing you and I will persevere in, that's being sinners. Until we awaken in His likeness, we will persevere, and we're good at it. We will be sinners. but we don't have to always act on it. Are we getting that as clear, you know? Are we getting that as clear?

This I say then, walk in the spirit, and I'm not saying that's easy. That's not just something you'll decide one day in the rest of your life. That's like, Jack, that's an every moment thing. of God calls me to walk in the spirit, but look what happens when I do, okay? By his grace, but when I do, Mac, this I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not.

Isn't that what that says? Tommy, is that not what that says? And ye shall not, what? Fulfill. Now he doesn't say the thing will go away, but ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. but the flesh likes bondage. It dislikes bondage. Somebody says, is that really a choice? No, but that's what the flesh chooses. That's what the flesh chooses. Think about it, the reason the unregenerate man, now the regenerate man who chooses that is because he's been bewitched. Now that's the only way. To just willingly, knowingly turn away from that is to go into apostasy. Hebrews chapter six and Hebrews chapter 10. I just listened to Earl preach on that just this past week. It's apostasy.

But God's people can be tricked. But here's the amazing thing. the unregenerate man, and of course, you know what this means, the unsaved man, the person who's never been converted through the preaching of the truth of the gospel, they actually think that they can untangle this bondage. And be not entangled, they think, well, I can untangle that. I mean, one preacher one time said, God just expects your best shot. No, he doesn't expect, the law doesn't say give it your best shot, it says thou shalt not. Is that true or not? Tommy, is that true or not? It says, thou shalt not. And on the positive things, it says, thou shalt. So what happens when you don't?

You're guilty. You're guilty. But the unregenerate man thinks he can untangle this. Now, number three. Liberty by Christ not only has freed us from indebtedness. Now I want you to think about this. Because my brothers and sisters, I know I'm guilty of it too. We think about our liberty in Christ, and we think about it, we get our mind focused only on one thing. And I mentioned it, but I wanted to bring it down to a head now. We get our mind focused on one thing.

God will not condemn me, right? I will not go to hell, right? I will be with Christ, right? What about him being with me now? Do you realize everywhere you go, me too, I'm not pointing fingers at you without talking about myself, you realize everywhere we go, everything we think, everything we do, we involve him in it? Do you know that? We involve him in it because he is in us after all, is he not?

The Spirit of God dwells in us, and he goes with us everywhere we are. So Paul even warns us, what does he say? Grieve not the Holy Spirit. And who is the Holy Spirit? He is the Spirit of Christ. He is none other than Christ in us, because these three are what?

One. When you think about that, when I think about that, when I really sit down and God calls me to start thinking about that, it makes me so ashamed of myself. even when I'm doing my best efforts. Because I can always find something in myself that wants a little bit of merit from that. I mentioned this and I heard this from Clay Curtis. You know, he says that, you know, you do something good at work and you just know, I'm not going to brag about this. That was the grace of God in me. That's all it was. But you know, before you get home, you got to tell somebody. You just can't stand it. You just got to tell them what you did and how good it seemed like it worked out.

Again, liberty by Christ not only has freed us from indebtedness, it is the only way to submit to God for safekeeping. Chapter five, verse five, for we, now think about this. Now we'll probably deal with it, God willing, in more detail later. So I realize what I'm going to say is kind of open-ended. But now think about this.

For we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope. Do you see that word hope? You know what hope is, right? You remember what hope is? It's something that's not seen yet. You've not actually gotten it yet, right? You're hoping for it, and in God's economy, if God promised it, it's called a good hope, Jack. It's called depending upon God to actually give what he promised he would give. But think about the language. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

What about, I thought we were already righteous. We are in him, but do you see that? Do you see that? We believe it, but Ellen and I don't see it. Oh yeah, I'm a, Pam, I'm better than I used to be, but I ain't perfect. And God demands perfection. If I'm gonna sit down hand in hand and fellowship with God Almighty, I gotta be perfect, right? He's too holy, he don't even look upon iniquity. What's he do, damn it? Condemn it, you know?

So again, liberty by Christ not only has freed us from indebtedness, it is the only way to submit to God for safekeeping. For we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness. When are we really gonna see that? When we awaken His likeness. That's the only time we'll really ever see it.

And you know why? It's not because we're gonna get better when we get to glory. We're just gonna drop what's bad and take on a new body. You understand? We already have the new man. The new man is created in righteousness and true holiness after the image of him that created him. Jack, he's perfect. but I don't see that right now. Because my new man is right alongside who? The old man, and he's corrupt according to deceitful lust, and I'll trick myself into thinking one's the other and the other's the one. Yeah, yeah.

How do we do that when we do good and we think we ought to get a little blessing from God for it? You see, we ought to serve God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and then God just calls us to lose our job and have nothing. Because he deserves to be worshiped no matter what. But do we not feel better when things are going good? Do we not feel more blessed of God when things, but when things get hard, what do we think? Is God punishing me? If he did, he'd send us to hell. He'd send us to hell.

Now we may be reaping what we've sowed. We may be, we may not be. Remember Job wasn't reaping what he sowed, was he? He was a man that eschewed, he avoided evil, he believed God. And God sent all this trouble on him, so God can do that too. And somebody says, I don't understand it. Yeah you do, read the end. I hate myself. I repent in dust and ashes. That's one thing God meant to teach Job. No matter how good he eschewed evil, he still needed to hate himself and repent in dust and ashes.

He came to this place where he said, if I do all the, I'm paraphrasing, if I do all this good, even my clothes would abhor me. You think about what he said. This is a man, Jack, that didn't have all this New Testament stuff that we got, but yet he knew these things by the Spirit of God. Hmm. He said even my clothes would abhor me.

You see the only righteous thing you got on you right now other than in Christ is your clothes. That's it. They're better than you are. They've never done anything wrong. We are wrong. They're made to be worn in light. If you're in the complete darkness, do you need them? What do we wear the clothes for? To cover ourselves we're in the light. You know what we are? We are darkness. Are, we don't just do it. We are darkness. So again, what are we doing? We're believing God, we're hoping, we're hoping, we're still believing God, we just keep believing God. One day righteousness will all of a sudden manifest itself in its full glory.

Do you know that? Paul put it this way, that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed, where? In us. Mac, I don't even know how to describe that. You know? Because when I look in here, what do I see? I see flesh. I see sin. And it always begins, how does our sin always begin? Just like Christ, but with an evil thought. With an evil thought.

We don't just, I don't, even bank robbers don't just drive down the road, minding their own business and say, ah, there's a bank, I'll rob that today. You know what I'm saying? We start thinking about what we're going to do. And our problem is we rarely ever is, and I know, I'm not trying to be blasphemous, but old Barney Fife used to say, nip it in the bud. We don't nip it in the bud, do we?

Because we actually think, well, I'm just, I'm not doing it. If we're thinking it, it's wrong. See, the problem is we just don't wanna deal with what we really are. We just don't want to admit what we really are, do we? We like to sugarcoat it in some way. We like to put the best face on it in some way.

Number four, I've got to move on. Number four, liberty by Christ has freed, listen, think of it, it has freed us to love and serve God. Not freed us to love ourselves, not freed us to serve ourselves, but it's freed us to love and serve. Listen, verse 13. For brethren, ye have been called unto, did I say 12? Verse 13 of chapter five. For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love do what?

Serve one another. Now the fact is, we do not always do that, because sometimes who do we serve? Right here. But isn't it true, by the grace of God, we do still serve one another. We care about one another. And when push really comes to shove, Jack, who is it, when it really push comes to shove, we'll make sure somebody else is taken care of before we are. Huh? We can do that. Now that's not some power in us.

That is the spirit, that is Christ. Let me use the words of scripture. That is the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Again, I know my mind does it, maybe not all of you do, but I figure you do, that we always think of this thing of liberty in Christ as I won't go to hell. I won't be condemned. No, God freed me to serve him. to love him, to love his people, to love his gospel, to try and do the right thing. I said try.

Jack, that's about the best as we can do, but you know what? Think about it, it's greater than that, though, because it doesn't depend on us. It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Number, let me go on, number five. Liberty by Christ gives us the proper motivation and perspective. Verse 16, I done read it, but this I say then, remember it's not all about just getting to go be with Christ. Now that is the ultimate goal. I mean, Jack Paul makes it clear, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we're of all men most miserable, but what's the whole point he's making? We have hope in this life.

Don't you see it? I know you do, but you know what, we forget it. We forget it and we become miserable and just downtrodden. And I understand why. This is a rough world to live in and it's a rough self to live with, is it not? But look, this I say then, walk in the spirit, and I love this language, although I don't, How do I put that? This is not something you get good at the more you do it. You understand what I'm saying? This is submission. That's what this is taught. This is submission. God, your will, not my will.

Now if Christ prayed that, when he was always doing the will of the Father, how much more should I be constantly crying that out? Look, this I say then, walk in the spirit and ye shall be saved. So Jack, I don't have to live in sin. Now we can use that phrase and people can argue, but Tom, I don't have to live in sin. I live with it, but I don't have to live in it. It does, we're not under bondage. Number six, let me move on. Liberty by Christ brings submission to him. Look at it. But if ye be led of the Spirit.

Now I like this, led. Lead. You know what it is to lead, don't you? Now we think sometimes of leading as here's a person in front and then here's another person behind and because the person behind is of such good character and the person in front is of such good character that when the person in front goes and does the right thing then the person behind goes and does the right thing too. Now that's one way of looking at it. I understand that. That could be being led.

Another guy or a woman or a man is a good example and you follow their lead, right? But you know what this lead is, don't you? Put a hook in that nose. Start pulling. Put that collar around that dog's neck and that dog's gonna go where you want it to go. Put that bridle in that horse's mouth, huh?

Go, go, go. That's what it's talking about. See, to be led of the spirit is just the cement. When God tugs, if you pull back, what's going to happen? It's going to hurt. And remember, he says, my yoke is easy. And my burden is what? It's light. But I will add this caveat, until we kick against it. Now he will overcome it. He'll have his way with us. But it's better if we just follow along, right? Isn't it better if we just follow along? Not because we're good folk, but because we know he's perfect. I love the illustration.

I think it was Marvin Stoniker gave to Clay Curtis, the first time Clay came here to preach. Of course, Don Fortner preached with him. We had those two preach. And Marvin Stoddicker was coming to the meeting, I think it was on a Saturday. He went back to Katy, of course, for Sunday. No, it was Friday, I'm sorry, it was Friday. And Marvin was at the hotel, stayed at the same hotel Don and Clay was. And Clay says, well, I don't know how to get there. I got my GPS, but it's kind of, everybody's told him it's back out in the country. I mean, this ain't right downtown somewhere. And I like what Marvin Stoddicker told Clay.

He said, you just follow me. So you know all Clay had to do? He didn't have to look at a road sign. He didn't have to worry about the speed limit. As long as Marvin was doing right, what would Clay do? He'd do right. You see what I'm saying? And Clay didn't have to look for the turn, he just followed Marvin. Followed Marvin, turned right, I turned right. Do you see the illustration? Marvin turned left, Marvin slows down, you slow down. Marvin speeds up, you speed up. That's what we're talking about. But it's more than just us following. It's him leading us. He lets us know what is the right path to go. The problem is we almost always think we know the path to take. And we never, now listen to me, we never do. I said never.

If what you thought was the right thing to do at any given moment, and you did it and it happened, it wasn't because you thought it, you just got lucky. And I know we don't, so you got lucky. You didn't purpose this, you didn't plan this, you didn't make it happen, you just happened to think of the right thing. Because again, it is God, if we do his will, who worked in us to do it? He did, right? It ain't we come up with it, he did. Again, I say, liberty by Christ gives the proper motivation and perspective. Liberty by Christ brings submission to God.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, you're not under the law. What's the opposite of that? What's the opposite of it? If I'm not led of the Spirit, I am under the law. Now see, this is not a matter, now I know I talk about submission, but God makes us submit.

Do you know that? Now, look at it. We will look at the scripture, God's scripture, 2 Corinthians 10, and I know you know this, but it's easy for us to forget these things. Listen, 2 Corinthians 10, For though we walk in the flesh, we did not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but what? Mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Do you see that? Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.

Although it hurts, I am glad that when we make poor choices, it hurts. Because that's often the only way we learn anything. Do you know that? Is when we screw up, when we foul up, when we sin, okay? When we do wrong, Jack. So there's no misunderstanding here. When we do wrong, I'm glad God ordained that it hurt because if it didn't, you know what I'd keep doing? I'd keep doing the same old thing over and over and over and over and over.

Look, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. And here it is. Here's the crux of this thing. And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. That's, how do I put this without being misunderstood? Maybe it's not the best way to state it, but that's when I'm in my best state. is for that right there. That right there. When my thoughts are being what? Brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That everything is centered upon his person and work. And that is when I feel.

Now I know it's not all about feeling, but don't you like, isn't it good to feel like God loves you? Uh-huh, isn't it? How would you like to go through this life where God said, well, you ain't gonna know whether you're a woman or not until you get to the judgment? Aren't you glad he didn't say that, huh? We can know now. We can have some assurance now. Now I'm at my best state. When what? I submit to Christ's obedience. And you know what?

That's impossible to do apart from His grace, isn't it? You see, in summary, liberty by Christ is not manifested in a flawless walk. Paul doesn't say it's a flawless walk. I mean, the very fact he's having to rebuke these Galatians lets us know it's not a flawless walk, is it? So in summary, again, liberty by Christ, liberty in Christ, is not manifested by a flawless walk, but by a spirit-led walk that acknowledges the evil of the flesh. Now, we might not always do it every time, but eventually we will. We always like to put the best face on our flesh. We like to say, but I meant well. Doesn't matter what we meant. It matters what God wills.

Right? Right. It's not manifested in a flawless walk, but by a spirit-led walk that acknowledges the evil of the flesh and seeks to walk in the fruit that only God the Spirit can produce. And that's what Paul goes on to say, does he not? He says the works of the flesh, and I'll read that and we'll just quit. Now the works of the flesh are manifest. They're right there. But you know what we do? Remember the little kids playing peek-a-boo? And they think because they hide their face, huh? We try to hide ourselves somehow.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envies, murders, drunkenness, revilings, and then he says, this is not an exhaustive list, and such like. Now listen, and such like of thee which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now do I believe that or not, or do I try to say, well, but I believe in grace. You better believe this is grace.

Paul said I was before a blasphemer. He didn't walk around and say, well, I quit blaspheming, it's not gonna condemn me. Right? Is that the way? Well, I believe in free, sovereign grace. It doesn't matter if I dabble in a little bit of freewillism. It's not gonna condemn me. No, but we like to think it in real simplistic, well, I can't quit thinking wrong, so I might as well go ahead and think whatever I think. Don't work that way.

I mean, I heard one young man, and I'm not criticizing that young man. I'm just like him in the flesh. But he said, well, if I'm gonna think it, I might as well do it. And Earl told him, wrong. Wrong. Because when you do it, you usually involve somebody else in it. And you bring trouble on them, too. Now think about it, we'll give you this illustration. And we'll close it up with a song.

It's one thing, I'm not saying it's right. I'm just stating facts. It's one thing for David to have been up on that wall in that castle, in his castle or whatever it was, and see Bathsheba out there on the top of that roof bathing. It's one thing for him to see that and to think thoughts that this is all right, that's enough of that. You understand what I'm saying? It's enough of that.

But what happened? He began to act upon his thoughts. And what did he do? He involved a lot of other people. And what did he, he brought ruin ruin on his family. Huh? Remember, he had a man killed to try to hide his, and God told him, now God forgave him of the sin, but you know what? The sword never passed from David's house because of that. And you think, well, am I ever gonna get out of this trouble that I caught? No. No! No!

Until you awaken his likeness. Because whatsoever a man sows, And that's what you're going to reap. Aren't you glad you're going to be into it one day, though? Come on, smile. It's OK. We'll get through this. We're going to make it. We're going to get to the end.

You say, I've ruined my life. That's right. Like Henry Mahan said, you go out here, you think of your body as your house. And you go out here to your house, and you rip the windows out. You rip the shingles off. And you tear up this and burn it in the fire in the summertime. What's going to happen when winter comes? You're going to get cold. Right? He said, you wreck your body, you're gonna live with it the rest of your life. Quit trying to, oh God, please get me out of this. He will when he kills you. Well, he will when he kills you or when he returns back and changes you.

And Tommy, that's the only time we're ever gonna escape all this trouble. We're never gonna get to that point where we can say, well, Walter and Joe and Paul don't need to preach on that subject anymore. Never get past it, will we, till we awaken His likeness. Heavenly Father, these things are, there's so much, Lord, so much. And we are, there's so much that our flesh longs after and lusts after. so much that our flesh would do that is so contrary to you and the honor of your son, but Lord, as I prayed before and I pray again, Lord, overrule our poor choices, our bad choices, our sinful choices, and Lord, work out your sovereign will, and we know that all things do work together for good, but it is your good, not what we think of as good. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

Liberty By Christ Or Bondage Under Law

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about liberty in Christ?

How do we know Jesus' work is sufficient for salvation?

Why is choosing liberty over law important for Christians?

What are the consequences of falling from grace?

How can Christians maintain their liberty in Christ?

Sermon Transcript

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Liberty By Christ Or Bondage Under Law

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about liberty in Christ?

How do we know Jesus' work is sufficient for salvation?

Why is choosing liberty over law important for Christians?

What are the consequences of falling from grace?

How can Christians maintain their liberty in Christ?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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