A LIBERATING SERVITUDE

By Edward O’Hara…

In Rom.6 and 2Cor.3 Paul speaks of the liberty that is only found in Christ. Saying in Rom.6 that, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness”. But, how is it possible that we can be free while being a servant? Can a servant be truly free? As contrary as this may sound to our natural mind the answer is yes he can. And Paul shows us how this happens by showing us that we are only truly free when we are servants of righteousness. Because it is by righteousness that we are no longer subject to mortality and it’s natural desires. And righteousness is knowing God. So being a slave to righteousness is to know God. 

Jesus showed us this when He said in John17:3 “This is eternal life. That ye might know Him the one true God and His Son whom He hath sent”. Saying also in John6:28,29 to those who desired to know what it is they needed to do to do the work of God that “The work of God is believing in Him”. 

And Paul showed us life and righteousness are synonymous when he said in Gal.3:21 “if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” And Paul shows us how we are righteous in Gal.2:16 saying, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Until we come to know God man is servant to his God given natural desires. Desires given to him so he could relate to the natural surroundings of God’s creation here on earth. Man is servant to what these desires show him because through these he only relates to what has been made. But, if it is only these that man is equipped for relationships Paul says in 1Cor.2:14 he can not relate to his maker. 

Through his natural senses man can see the creation. And seeing and experiencing the creation he can conclude there is a Creator. And that Creator could even speak to him through his natural senses and show him things by those senses that He wants him to do as God did with some men before Jesus came. 

But, even this would not allow him to be able to know the Creator intimately. Because as a natural man he is not equipped for a spiritual relationship with a spiritual being. An intimacy with God only those who are born again can have. Those who can only perceive things with their natural senses can not perceive the things of the Spirit. He is subject only to what has been made. A slave to sin unequipped for righteousness. 

Jesus said in John3:1-8 we must be born again. And in John4:24 that only those who are spiritual can worship God in spirit and in truth. So while man is equipped from his mother’s womb only for relating to what has been made, even though he may come to believe there is a Creator through his natural experience with creation, and even a natural experience with God. Because he is not born of the Spirit he is not free to relate intimately and spiritually with God. This is the man Paul says is a slave to sin. Because he is a slave to his natural senses.

An example of this notion of slavery comes from Herbert Spencer, who coined the phrase “survival of the fittest”. He was an English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, and sociologist famous for his theory of social Darwinism who once said; “If men use their liberty in such a way as to surrender their liberty, are they thereafter any the less slaves? If people by a plebiscite(direct vote) elect a man despot over them, do they remain free because the despotism was of their own making?”

While he was correct in his conclusion regarding the rule of men. He was incorrect in his thinking that a natural men can ever be truly free. Because he was an unbeliever, Mr.Spencer missed the bigger picture. He couldn’t see that men were already slaves in that they are subject to their natural senses and only able to relate to that which is made. Because in his natural state man is not free to relate spiritually to his Creator. 

This is what the Bible means when it says men are slaves to sin. An example of this comes from Paul’s statement in 1Cor.6:12 where he says that all things were lawful for him. But, that he would not be brought under the power of any. This does not mean that it is only when men do evil things that they are slaves to sin. It means that as a natural man with only natural senses he can only know what his senses tell him. He can not know his Creator. 

But, because Paul was a born again spiritual man all things for him are lawful. But, because he chose to submit himself to his Creator, and not his natural senses as Jesus said in John16:9 is the sin of the world, Paul was no longer a slave to sin. Because being a slave to sin is not knowing the Creator. And being truly free is the righteousness that is knowing Him. This is what it means to be a slave to righteousness. 

So only when a man recognizes the creation as creation can he begin to learn what it means to be truly free. The liberty that is in Christ is subjecting ourselves to something greater than creation. Something greater than those things man relates to with his natural senses. 

Because when a man realizes creation for what it is he will know there must be a Creator. And knowing there is a Creator he will desire to seek Him out. 

Some might call this religion. But, what it really is is the discovery of who we really are and why we are here. Because in the end our search will lead to the one who created all that has been made. The true God who loves us so much He became mortal just like us. So that through His death and resurrection we who trust in Him can be changed from mortal to immortal. From men subject to death. To men who have eternal life. 

This is what Paul said in Rom.1 about the power of the gospel when he taught, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Rom.1:16-23

We Christians are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Because it provides the answer for those who will admit that because all things are made they need a maker. 

And the proof for things being made does not only come from the Bible. But, is also seen by our natural senses in the complexity in their design. So that with these there can be no mistake that the one who made all things is God. 

But, people like Mr. Spencer chose to ignore these things God purposely placed there so that we will desire to know Him. He chose the machinations of puny men rather than the glory of the one true God. The maker of all things. 

Because like everyone else that rejects the truth about the Creator, he would not be ruled by any. Including even the maker of all things. He would be his own man so he thought. But, in doing so he became captive to his own desires. And to his own passions. 

They ruled him as cruelly as any tyrant because by these he man is kept shut up unto the faith. Never able to know anything beyond what his natural abilities to relate to what has been made show him. And he became stuck in this natural realm where everything is subject to death. Never coming to know his Creator and the gift of eternal life He came to provide men with. 

This is a choice we will all make. We either choose to ignore what we see in what has been made that reveals there is a Creator. Or we choose to look at nature objectively and realize the immutable truth of the Creator. In this we subject ourselves to either delusion or deliverance. To the slavery of sin or as servants to righteousness. 

Which will you have? Delusion? Or deliverance? Sin, or righteousness? Will you recognize the complexity you see in creation as proof of the Creator? Will you trust in that Creator? Or will you deny what is plainly observed in nature to be deluded as those Paul wrote of in Rom.1? To the point of professing wisdom while becoming a fool? Changing the glory of the incorruptible God into the image of corruptible man, birds, or creeping things as Darwin and those like him have? And in your heart elevating yourself above the Creator. 

I pray it is the former so that you too can have the liberating servitude that comes only through an intimate and personal relationship with your Creator. And if you have seen there is a Creator and want to know Him will you now turn from your idols to serve the living and true God? The only one who can deliver you from mortality to immortality. And from being only natural and subject to those senses. To being made spiritual to have the liberty that is knowing your Creator intimately. If you will then pray with me now. 

Dear Jesus, thank you for joining with me in death. So that I can join with you in eternal life. Thank you for saving me and making me your child. And heir to your kingdom. Help me to live for you now. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

If you prayed with me then welcome to God’s family. Now as you read the Bible believe what it plainly says. And trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into the truth. God bless you in your new life in Christ. 

See you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: Rumble