We celebrate this weekend the birthday of our nation. Over two hundred years ago the founding fathers declared that we would be a free and sovereign union of states.  Freedom has been the battle cry of our nation:  “Live free or die” “Give me liberty or give me death.”  Most of us know that there is a more important freedom, the freedom that we find in our Lord. What we don’t always think about is the ongoing nature of our freedom in Christ.  What does that look like? What does that mean? How do we live as free men and women? 

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(Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)  "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."

(Luke 4:17-21 NIV)  "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.""

(John 8:31-36 NIV)  "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

(1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV)  "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

(Galatians 5:13-14 NIV)  "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.""

 (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV)  ""Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."
 
Digging Deeper

1.  Read the following verses and for each verse answer the question:  “What is the price of freedom?”  1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (compare 1 Peter 1:18-19); 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Romans 14:14-23; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Galatians 5:13-15.

2.  What is the difference between avoiding certain behaviors for the sake of your brother or sister in Christ (1 Corinthians 8:13), and living simply to please men (1 Thessalonians 2:4). After all, in both instances you are changing your behavior because of someone else.

3. Read Romans 14.  Now see how many principles you can list that give us guidelines as to how to be sensitive to and minister to those whose faith is “weaker” than yours. What does this look like in the “real” world of your life?