Jesus came to mankind, taking on human form. He wanted us to receive everlasting life (John 3:16).
He was clear about his intentions and desire for us:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
What is the number one priority here that Jesus declares?
He wants us to have LIFE!
He wants us to have an abundant life, too!
Notice that He does not say "I have come to give you liberty."
That's not to say that liberty is not important. He came to offer us liberty, certainly:
"18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus came to set those at liberty who had been imprisoned, who had lost their way, who were in bondage to sin and death. If we are honest, all of us fall into the category. All of us are dead in Adam when born into this world. In Christ Jesus, He takes us from death to life, and we reign in His life (Romans 5:15-17)
Jesus Himself announced His role in our liberty:
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
and
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)
Paul writes about the Holy Spirit, and how through Him we have liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Freedom matters, but the most important thing is LIFE!
What's the value of liberty if you are sick? What's the use of having choice when there is no capacity to choose, bound to sin and shame?
Righteousness sets us from the destruction and death of sin, both in our flesh and in the world.
With God's gift of righteousness, we receive life, and with it the incredible liberty to submit ourselves joyfully to God's goodness and grace--and reign in life!
It's all about life, His life, and not just liberty, not license:
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)
Liberty is a means, not an end. I think this necessary concept escapes many in our culture. Liberty is not important with God's love for us. Liberty means nothing if we have nothing to do or have. There is no reason to move on or to act independently if we do not know who made us or what we were made for.
Jesus is Our Life, and He offers us His Life, Himself!
There is still so much I am learning in this regard, and there is more to come. It's about Himself, it's about His Life, not just liberty.
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