Liberty
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled
face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same
image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is
the Spirit.
2 Cor. 3:17f (English Standard Version)
Free In Christ
Freedom and liberty are words heard more
often this time of the year than perhaps any other time. The Fourth
of July, also known as Independence
Day, is the anniversary of the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress
adopted the formal Declaration of our Independence from British rule. It is
celebrated as the birthday of our country and marks the date we threw off the
rule of a tyrannical government that was as foreign to us philosophically as it
was geographically.
For
236 years our nation has marked this anniversary with many and varied
festivities that always include patriotic themes, colors and music. Wikipedia
describes the first celebration on July 4, 1777:
“In 1777, thirteen gunshots were fired in
salute, once at morning and once again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol,
Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a
modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the
Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music,
parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white, and
blue bunting.”
The day has been declared
a national holiday with federal and state offices, including post offices and
courts, and most banks closing. It is often celebrated out of doors with
fireworks, picnics, concerts and patriotic activities. It is a festive occasion
and a time of great celebration.
The fact is however,
that about 1700 years earlier there was an even greater declaration uttered that
has offered freedom and hope to every human that has ever lived, or will ever
live. Far more significant in its scope and benefit, it remains as powerful as
it was the first day it was spoken.
Matthew’s gospel
records in 28:5-6: “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for
I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has
risen…” A Divine Commentary on this declaration is found in Hebrews
2:14-15 that explains the power and scope of the event: “…(H)e himself
likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the
one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who
through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” The Devil had the
power and that power was in the form of our fear of death.
When Jesus became the
“firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18), he opened the gates through which
God would free any and all who would turn to him. The announcement that Jesus
had been resurrected heralded freedom for the imprisoned and judgment for the
prison-keeper, the Devil. This was the fulfillment of the promise made in the
Garden of Eden immediately prior to God’s banishing the man and woman from the
garden in Genesis 3:15. When he promised that the seed of Satan would bruise
the heel of man, he was referring to the death of Jesus. When Jesus uttered the
words “It is finished” and gave up his spirit, for all of mankind, and
especially those there with him, it appeared to be a crushing blow. Yet, when
Jesus arose victorious over death, he demonstrated that what had been intended to
be a killing blow was in fact NOT a mortal wound. By arising, he himself dealt
the mortal blow to Satan, the Adversary. It was a blow to his head. In doing
so, he declared once and for all that he was Victor over death and hell and
that his followers would be as well.
As we celebrate
freedom this Fourth of July, may God also help us to remember the true freedom
that is in Jesus Christ. Freedom from oppression in this world can last no more
than our lifetimes – but freedom from the fear of death is an eternal freedom.
Perhaps we should do a little feasting, fireworks shooting and singing to
celebrate this freedom too, do you think?
Because
I love you, and because He loves us!
Roger
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