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True Liberty
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
Galatians 5:13–15
Originally meant to be installed by 1876 as a gift from the people of France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American independence, the sculpture “Liberty Enlightening the World” is better known to us as the Statue of Liberty. Some of the leading architects and engineers in the world worked on the massive statue, which stands more than 150 feet tall. The American people provided the funding for the pedestal on which the statue stands.
The Statue of Liberty was finally installed on Liberty Island, and dedicated in 1886 by President Grover Cleveland following a ticker tape parade through the streets of New York City. In his speech, President Cleveland said, “We will not forget that Liberty has made her home here, nor shall her chosen altar be neglected. A stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression until Liberty enlightens the world.”
Today a lot of people have a faulty concept of liberty. They view it as the ability to do whatever they want, without having to endure any criticism or consequences as a result. That is not God’s definition. Instead, the Bible tells us that our freedom from sin is given to us to allow and equip us to do what is right and good for the sake of God’s work rather than our own pleasure. This is what Christian liberty looks like: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11–12).
Galatians 5:13–15
Originally meant to be installed by 1876 as a gift from the people of France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American independence, the sculpture “Liberty Enlightening the World” is better known to us as the Statue of Liberty. Some of the leading architects and engineers in the world worked on the massive statue, which stands more than 150 feet tall. The American people provided the funding for the pedestal on which the statue stands.
The Statue of Liberty was finally installed on Liberty Island, and dedicated in 1886 by President Grover Cleveland following a ticker tape parade through the streets of New York City. In his speech, President Cleveland said, “We will not forget that Liberty has made her home here, nor shall her chosen altar be neglected. A stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression until Liberty enlightens the world.”
Today a lot of people have a faulty concept of liberty. They view it as the ability to do whatever they want, without having to endure any criticism or consequences as a result. That is not God’s definition. Instead, the Bible tells us that our freedom from sin is given to us to allow and equip us to do what is right and good for the sake of God’s work rather than our own pleasure. This is what Christian liberty looks like: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11–12).
Today’s Growth Principle:
Use the liberty you have in Christ to live for Him in loving service to those around you.
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