Angelic Conflict part 353: Freedom in Christ, an Independence Day Special part 2 – Gal 6:6-7; 1:6-10; 2:1-5; 3:1-3; 5:1; Col 2:16-19; Rom 8:1-4.Title: Angelic Conflict part 352: Freedom in Christ, an Independence Day Special part 2 – Gal 6:6-7; 1:6-10; 2:1-5; 3:1-3; 5:1; Col 2:16-19; Rom 8:1-4.
We noted on Sunday that freedom cannot exist without laws and the authority to enforce those laws. In reference to the Galatian church we have seen God's immutable law of reaping what you sow or the law of volitional responsibility. And as in all things God does this is saturated with grace, for if any of us were able to continue to make bad decisions without negative effects then we would quickly destroy ourselves and others around us. We are sheep after all. [ex: David and Bathsheba; Corinthian man and step mother; Paul (doing everything right) and thorn]
Therefore, we must conclude from God's word that the ends do not justify the means. If God did not make this natural law then we could conclude that as long as everything works out in our favor, then what we think or do is inconsequential. Yet in fact, we must conclude that it is the thinking and doing that is of most importance and the results that are inconsequential. God will work all things together for good, but to those who have a certain system of thinking in the sphere of love for God. So then, the results are in God's hands and the thinking, the motivation, and the outworking of them in production are in our volition. Without God's word and without God the HS our volition would have no ability or power to have divine motivation, to think divine thoughts, or to produce divine good. Therefore, our volition partners up with the person of God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God enforces the law of volitional responsibility just as He continues to enforce the law of gravity.
Gal 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
“accursed” – avna,qema [anathema] = to be under a divine curse. No one escapes this divine law.
So sure and so important is this that Paul repeats it again.
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
This curse doesn’t only apply to those that Paul addresses but to all believers who do not come to love the Lord.
1Co 16:22 If anyone does not love [phileo] the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha [“our Lord come” or “our Lord will come”].
Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant [slave] of Christ.
Since the law of Christ is now the rule of life for every believer and that law originated solely from God, and if men, not one man or many men, can enforce this law, then why should the believer seek the favor of men?
When we violate this law we will be served a warning and then a more intense discipline if the warning is not heeded.
It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.
There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority—that is, of the society itself; the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable.[Federalist 51, James Madison]
Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Rev 3:11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day —
Col 2:17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
Col 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
Back to: Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh [immoral and moral degeneracy], but through love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, " You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "
Law of Christ - "love one another as I have loved you… lay down your life for your friends … serve one another … bear one another's burdens …"
Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another.
To attempt to destroy or hinder the freedom of another is to destroy or hinder your own.
Another key aspect to freedom is the preservation of the laws so that future generations continue to have the same laws that protect natural rights.
Those who see their desires being hindered by what has been written as natural law for all attempt to remove the law so that they can fulfill their own desire. Imagine if the laws protecting your property were all of a sudden gone and lost forever. Satan is the poster child for this. Our nation has preserved the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. God through thousands of copies has preserved His word.
If you can’t change the words themselves and you can’t stop people from reading them then you can only change the meaning of the words.
It would seem that no one could alter the meanings of the words life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but with enough convincing and enough ignorance and arrogance in the people and it becomes probable.
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