Glorious Freedom (St. John 8:31-32)

It was July 4th 1976 that America celebrated its 200th anniversary of declaring its independence from England. Dr. Billy Graham, speaking on that occasion said that it was long past time for America to declare her dependence on God. Independence from England resulted in our freedom as a nation but independence from God will result in our enslavement.

In my text we have a promise that is preceded by a condition. Too often we either misquote scripture or quote scripture out of context and it takes on a whole new meaning and then we attempt to attribute the new meaning to Christ. When we do such a thing we do a grave injury to not only the truth but also to Christ. Let me give you an example.

Often times we quote the words, “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” While we are quick to claim the promise we ignore the condition that has preceded the promise which states, “If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” Let me present a trilogy of thoughts from these two verses. They are:

1. A Continuation in His Word will result in a
2. Revelation of the truth that will in turn provide an
3. Emancipation or a freedom which only Christ (the Living Word) can provide.

I. Continuation: “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;”

Here we have the necessary requirement in order to experience this emancipating truth. This freedom is not arrived at through deduction of logic, or the speculations of philosophy but by continuing in His word. History proves how devastating life becomes when this admonition is ignored.

Over 80 years ago there arose in Germany what was known as ‘Higher Criticism’ of the Bible. The German scholars and theologians tore the Word of God apart and stripped the Bible of its authenticity and authority and reduced Jesus to a mere good and great man, thereby lessening the validity of His teachings. The organized church subscribed, in a great measure, to their findings and walked in lock step with those who emaciated the word and they lost all power and influence for God or good.

Instead of staying true to Martin Luther’s Bible they bought into Fredrich W. Neitzsche’s atheistic philosophy. When they discarded the authenticity and authority of the Bible they opened themselves up to Hitler’s Mein Kampf and his drive to establish a super-race and the rest is history. Millions died at his ruthless hand.

France, likewise, rejected the Word of God and subscribed to the writings of the infidel Voltaire and as a result they have suffered anarchy, bloodshed, and misery. When God’s Word with its sound moral principles is rejected, we are left with only one alternative and that is unrestrained man with unbridled passions and instincts.

America is now in grave danger of discounting and discrediting the authenticity of His word. Recently the words ‘under God’ were purposely deleted from the pledge of allegiance in a noted sports event. There is a move on now not to allow any mention of Christ in the funeral services of our nation’s fallen servicemen. Every year our graduates are inundated with those protesting any reference to the faith in their valedictory addresses.

At the founding of our nation the schools and universities were not state institutions but they were founded to propagate the Christian religion. Schools like Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Princeton, and William and Mary. Today the modern professors have grown greater in their heads than they are large in their heart. They have ‘raped the schools of God’s truth’ and become hot-beds of agnosticism, skepticism, and atheism.

The word has been greatly displaced in our homes by other events and activities and when that occurs righteousness soon perishes from the life of both parent and child. The home ceases to be a haven of peace and joy and sin takes the occasion to play havoc with its members. It results in broken marriages, orphaned children and a total disintegration of the family.

What is most disconcerting is that many pulpits have refused to declare, thus saith the Lord God! Secular themes and bland narrative stories that have all but excluded any reference to the Word of God has become more palatable then to proclaim, exhort and rebuke with all authority. What is worse is that many people wish to hear such travesties of preaching. “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct. My people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?” Jeremiah 5: 30-31.

II. Revelation: If we continue in His word, “ye shall know the truth…”

We must continue in the truth no matter what others may do because in the end it is not going to be how much you know but Who you know. Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” Paul said, “I know WHOM I have believed….” He also said, “For to me to live is Christ…” It will require a divine revelation ministered through the Word by the Holy Spirit because “the world by wisdom knows not God.” Even orthodoxy alone is not enough we need the purging touch of His refining fire and the vitalizing anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is called ‘Christianity in Earnest’ which comes only by a strict adherence to the Word of God.

III. Emancipation: “The truth shall make you free.”

The writer of the Hebrew letter says that “God has, in these last days, spoken unto us by His Son.” He has spoken but are we hearing Him and more importantly are we heeding His words? There are all kind of voices shouting for our attention but none more important than the voice of God. One stated that:
“Our eyes are being blinded by the fog of things;
Our ears are being deafened by the din of things,
Our throats are being choked by the dust of things.”

We must maintain an attitude of spiritual sensitivity and a willing receptivity to hear and obey His word. If we refuse to hear and heed His truth we will forever be enslaved, never to know true freedom. However, “if we continue in His word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” True freedom does not come by right of heritage as the Jews were claiming as being of Abraham’s seed. It doesn’t come through the allegiance of a flag or through the might of militarism. It comes through a continuing obedience to Christ the Living Word.

God’s Three Appointments For Man (Part 3)

MAN’S APPOINTMENT FOR SALVATION (1 Thes. 5:29)

While man’s appointments to death and judgment are inevitable the obtaining of salvation demands a response on our part so that we may escape the wrath of God. “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The text says that, “God has not appointed us to wrath..” The purpose of Christ coming to earth was not merely to save sinners from hell but to call out a people who should be like Himself. God wants a family and in II Corinthians 6:7-8 we read that whosoever will “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Continue Reading >>