Faith and Freedom

General James Green, Nov. 7, 2011

OH, HOW AMERICANS LOVE THEIR FREEDOM! This is more dear to them than faith. But let me tell you a little secret; freedom comes with a price. True freedom depends upon our faith in God and service unto Him. Haven’t you noticed how over the years freedom of speech, press, assembly etc. have become more and more restricted? While the government promises to uphold the people’s freedoms, the more it finds a way to undermine it. And the more this nation spouts PEACE and SAFETY, the more she goes to WAR!...making it harder and harder for peace and safety to be real.

Desire for Peace / Safety / Freedom

GOD, AND I MEAN GOD OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, made peace, safety, and freedom available here in America because the majority of people sought it. Sure, there were opportunists (of faith) that sought for their own agendas to become realized—which, too many times, included theft, murder (like that of the Native peoples!), but on the other hand there were those of faith that wanted America to be a city set upon a hill for all the world’s peoples to partake of, both spiritually and physically.

     There was a basic honesty in this land that operated beyond partisan politics (after America became settled), but there was and still is a basic ignorance that operates. Then as now, most people trusted the government more and more and turned more and more away from God and His Sacred Scriptures. Thusly the U.S. Gov. replaced God, His Word, and His Son Jesus, and the peoples began to look to the NEW god for peace, safety, and freedom.

Called, But Refused!

HAVING THE SACRED SCRIPTURES AS OUR RULE BOOK, the Holy Spirit as our guide / shield, having Jesus as our Savior, healer, deliverer, companion, America prospered. It was because of these and not in spite of them, that America became known as a “godly country”. But evil men / women in politics (and in religion) wanted the “God” factor to be either reinterpreted or banished altogether. This “revolution” continues as I now write.

     “Political Correctness” and “Corporate Greed” is turning America into a godless society (with dozens and dozens of other skewed and ideophrenia madness). Now America has become a sick and sleazy schizophrenic nation. But Jesus can heal her if America would only REPENT of her “trillions” of sins!

John 8:32

“AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free.”

     Jesus had, in verse 31, told the believing Jews, “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed.” Here is America’s problem: she has not CONTINUED in the Word of God / Jesus. Politicians use God's / Jesus’ name in vain, they lie like demons and deceive the people…and the preachers aren’t much better these days.

     Now, it is ONLY as we CONTINUE in His Word that we (America) will have true freedom, safety and peace.

     The “truth” (v. 32) Jesus spoke of was not that of mere humanistic knowledge, for many things in this sphere are “true”; He was speaking of being “free” from SIN, destruction, and Satan’s slavery / bondages.

     Jesus was sent as a sacrificial lamb in order that the enslaved human race could be FREE! The Holy Scriptures testify to this fact. I don’t have to quote tons of Scripture to you, for most Americans have heard the “Good News”.

     Saving “truth” is revealed only from God “by His Spirit”, as 1 Cor. 2:10 declares, and does not originate from any person or from human wisdom (see 1 Cor. 2:12, 13). It is a GROSS SIN to put our trust in men / women / government rather than in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But this is exactly what America has done. See the effects? Bondage, fear, oppression, etc.

     “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (v. 36).

     The Words found in the Bible are true! The unsaved (non-Christian) is a SLAVE to SIN, being lawless (as v. 34 states and also Romans 6:17-20). Haven’t you noticed just how lawless America is getting?

     Things that used to be illegal have now become legal—the latest and one of the most VILE SINS is that of homosexuality, same-sex marriage more specifically. With this comes plagues / diseases of every sort. Does this GROSS SIN bless America? NO!

Slaves to SIN

WHILE AMERICA PRAISES her new found sins (GLBTQ sins in particular), God's judgments are looming over this nation. Don’t be fooled, dear Americans, this nation WILL experience God's displeasure. The more she abandons godly laws / restraints, the more SEVERE the judgments. Wait and see!!

New Law

GROWN TIRED OF GOD'S LAWS, in this moment in human history we’re seeing the formation, development, and implement of a new kind of consciousness (it’s been slowly but surely!) in which sin is not the enemy of God. This new faith is rooted and grounded in Satan. This “new faith”, they tell us, is not destroying our Christian faith, but deepens it. Really? Tell me why God is ANGRY with America then? NO one can deny this at this time.

God Spoke…

AS I WAS WRITING THIS ARTICLE, the Spirit spoke to us and said that God's “severe” judgments, were being deferred, waiting to see if America will repent. Personally, I don’t think so, only a very small minority sees what I’m writing about.

     If America fails, she will know what pain and slavery is all about. God will strip away all freedoms, peace, and safety just like this nation has stripped away His laws and judgments. The people of this nation will be stripped of all their “freedoms”, even the freedom to abuse God.

     Freedom from slavery of sin is one sure criterion by which all professing believers may test and prove whether they have God's favor and power.

     From all accounts, Church, State, and family have no power over sin (with a few exceptions of course). While this obnoxious nation cries “We’re free!” the Truth is, she is utterly enslaved to sinful burning passions, not godly, but satanically.

Murder in the First Degree!

WE ALL KNOW that this nation MURDERS her unborn without remorse or shame. Thank you, U.S. Government, for granting this!!

     Worse yet, dear ones, is the MURDERING of God's TRUTH!! Shall not America be held accountable for this? Yes!

     America will prove more vulnerable than any other society if she totally abandons the pursuit of justice, for this nation once knew and adhered to God's laws (at least to a great extent, more so than other countries). But, as America has become a “melting pot” of every nation under the sun, she also has taken to her breast their gods / goddesses / religions / ideals etc., thereby polluting her. Thusly, the ERUPTION of CORRUPTION. 

     America has been sustained by a unique faith in God, in freedom, in justice, in responsibility, in the which laws which should safeguard her people, is now being trashed for other gods. So, still believe that God will continue to bless America; true, blessed with cursings!

     So, accustomed are we to this idea—God's never-ending blessing / protection—this nation does not realize the sheer audacity of God blessing sin and sinners. Get ready for the worst nightmare.

I Still Believe…

GOD IS THE CROWN of the universe, the ultimate power that allows and disallows.

     I still believe that people or nations whose God is God will have peace and safety, even if it is altogether inner and not outward.

     America was basically built upon the Christian faith, not Islam, not Judaism, not Buddhism or any other “ISM”, but upon the Christian principle. But, sadly, godly faith, over the last few centuries, has become a materialistic faith, faith in achievements, wealth, might (all allowed by God of course), whereby Biblical faith was pushed into the background only to be used when necessary.

     Many men / women of the West believed in their high destiny and in His power to mold America into a divine society whereby all could be under God's blessings. Well, we know this happened to a certain extent, but, as we also know, greed, pride, rebellion etc. took the reins of things and guided America into what she is today—BACKSLID WHORE! 

     The human heart has both appetites and despairs which rational and national codes alone are UNABLE to guide and control. So, we see this once “great” nation faltering, ready to crash because she has thrown away her partner, the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Men are not happy, but lonely. They are not self-sufficient / controlled. Men today rebel against meaninglessness, and are haunted by despair, depression, death.

     Having denied dedication, consecration, devotion to the ALL mighty God, life has become empty, futile…inevitably, “We reap what we’ve sown”.

Here Is Truth!

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOLISHED by the “abolition” of God; the religion of Caesar takes its place. And we can all see just how wonderful Caesar takes care of his people, can’t we?

     And since, for a remnant, the need to worship God is satisfied. On the other hand, the need to worship is satisfied in hubris, in the worship of the “self”. The need to look for a “new god” can always be certain of finding one. The hunger for god-like leadership (like your present Prez, Obama “the messiah”), is not very filling as thought.

     The “give us a king” (as did ancient Israel cry unto the Lord over Prophets of God) has become irresistible, even to the point of national ruin! (not to say that Obama is the only one the people desired as king).

Stupid Americans!

WHO CAN DENY THE TRUTH and reality that because of Christianity the possibilities of freedom were birthed and grown. And, even the most stupid must confront the fact that any totalitarian government (e.g., in its extremist form is all too ready to take over where God's rule once resided. And demons are all too happy to occupy the now empty soul where once the Spirit dwelt.

     Who do we serve? What source can we draw strength from? To what justice can man appeal beyond the dictates of the state?

     You who want Socialism / Communism / Islam or any other “power”, do you really believe that you’ll have any rights?...except to work for the system and DIE!

Faith and Freedom

BOTH ARE NOT A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE, but a matter of life VS death, both intrinsically and extrinsically.

     Faith and godly freedom will not be restored in America because the people believe it to be only for the religious—God's covering and blessing, dear ones, is for all.

“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45).

True to God's nature—which consists of both blessing and cursing—His love is to be extended to enemies and persecutors, for such is His way of dealing with those who hate, insult, neglect Him. On the other hand, His love and patience runs its course and His wrath and cursing takes over. This is what He spoke to us this morning. He is waiting to see if America will repent, for He has withdrawn His blessings to a degree because of the sin issue.

     Actually, God cares for His creation, too bad we don’t care for our Creator.

     Jesus made it known (Matt. 5:45) that He is fully conscious of the misfortunes in the world, the hate and evil, He raises no question whether rain and sunshine are not sometimes destructive also; floods and drought can be a curse.

Are You Free?

WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR FREEDOM? Wherein is it enjoyed? One may enjoy freedom outwardly (like Americans once did!) but be in bondage, yea, slavery inwardly. A Christian may be liberated from the “world” and from “self” by giving their life totally and wholly to Christ.

     In stoic teaching freedom is man’s control over his / her own souls. The N.T. however, realizes—generally speaking—that even in the retreat into inwardness man / woman is not free. The N.T. makes it evident that freedom is not absent because there is inadequate control of existence but because there is no control of it at all, and therefore no “self-dominion”. It realizes that existence is threatened by itself and not by something outside; it realizes that it is itself deficient, with all that it does. Man attains to “self-control” by letting himself be controlled—this is done by the Power of God within.

     Freedom from sin (Rom. 6:18-23; Jn. 8:31-36), from the Law (Rom. 7:3; 8:2; Gal. 2:4; 4:21-31; 5:1, 13), and from death (Rom. 6:21; 8:21) is what the Christian life is all about.

     How many of you are enslaved by the fruits of the flesh (Gal. 5)?

Stand Fast!

“STAND FAST THEREFORE in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1, KJV).

     The freedom “to which Christ has made us free, to which you are called” (v. 13), which we “have in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 2:4), is concretely the freedom from the necessity of circumcision for justification before God. Taking this deeper and into the N.T. living, we are told that we need, not physical circumcision but circumcision of the heart—something that MOST “Christians” avoid like the plague.

     Paul was telling his readers that the Law was bondage (non-freedom) but he also points to Christ, the Christian life, can be free IF we allow the Spirit to work in our lives.

     Freedom from much of the O.T. Law (not all) means freedom from the moralism which one tries to do on his / her own. Legal demands couldn’t be perfectly done. It is Christ that works the “will” and “do” in us, not the Law.

Liberty

“NOW THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17, KJV).

The freedom which comes thru Christ (Gal. 5:1) is, first and foremost, LIBERATION from condemnation and SLAVERY of sin (vv. 7-9; Rom. 6:6, 14; 8:2; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9, 10) and the whole dominion of Satan (see Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 5:8).

     Here in lies the folly of America—she thinks she is free but in reality she is in slavery to all manner of sin. Even the Church has become enslaved to this 3-letter word SIN. But true liberation / freedom begins with the sinner confessing / repenting / forsaking his / her sins and asking Jesus to come into their lives…to take up LORDSHIP residence. This UNION spells FREEDOM (see Acts 4:12 and Eph. 1:7) this dear ones, is REGENERATIVE LIBERATION!

     Liberation from inner bondages / addictions etc. is maintained thru the Spirit’s continued indwelling and the believer’s obedience (see Rom. 8:1; Gal. 5:18; Jn. 15:1-11). But you see, so many, TOO MANY believers don’t “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) in order to remain FREE. They grow lazy, hence, bondages plague them in body-mind-heart.

Free to be Free?

THIS HAS BECOME THE SIN OF THE AGE—free to be free to do whatever. Christ did not free us (by buying us as slaves!) so we could “do our own thing” and call it “Christian”. Look at today’s believers—you can’t tell them apart from the world’s people; they are addicted, enslaved to all manner of passions / lusts / materialisms etc.

     Christian freedom must never be used as a pretext for evil or as a rationale for conflict (see James 4:1, 2; 1 Pet. 2:16-23). Christ set us free to be free to follow Him and “do His thing” (see 1 Thes. 1:9)…to follow in the way of righteousness, e.g., right living (see Rom. 6:1). If you may, we are Christ’s love slaves (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 7:22; Phil 1:1), living, not for ourselves, but living by grace unto God (Rom. 5:21; 6:10-13).

Death March

THE “SELF-SEEKING” EXISTENCE which goes astray in sin, leads finally to death, e.g., eternal separation from God.

     Look at America today—MARCHING headlong into HELL’S FIRE that will never be quenched. Awful! Why do you want to die?

     So, what have I said? Christ, in a willing Spirit, offered Himself up in substitutionary death for lost sinners. Now tell me, what other religious or political leader has done this? NONE!

     Our freedom, then, is not an existential return to the basis of individual existence, the soul. It is the event of a historical life RADICALLY and REVOLUTIONALLY sacrificed for others—“Go ye into ALL the world and make disciples.” is our marching orders (Matt. 28:19). We are “saved to serve”. The Son makes us free (Jn. 8:36). The Son who achieved His exaltation in the surrender of His own claim to life.

Remember This…

THE LOVE OF GOD / JESUS as enacted once for all in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord, raises upon us, in the Spirit, the claim that we should obediently recognize it as what it is, namely, the act of divine life, accomplished for us, and eternally sustaining us. If we open our lives to this incursion of the Spirit, of the act of God in Jesus Christ, there takes place in Them (the Father, Son, Holy Spirit) the grounding of our lives in the realized love of the Savior…in the Spirit of the freedom of Christ, there arises our personal freedom—free to follow Him, free to do His will, free to love beyond our selfishness.

Romans 6:22

“BUT NOW BEING MADE FREE FROM SIN, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

Works done in Christian freedom stem intrinsically from fruitfulness in Spirit. Sadly, too many do not cultivate fruitfulness, hence, works of the flesh.

     So, faith can lead one to material achievements (like we see in today’s contemporary Church) or to spiritual achievements (like what is so terribly missing in the Church!).

     Men work hard at establishing a better environment, better buildings etc., but fail to build up their inner environment which is overrun with weeds. The inner building of the soul is deteriorating. Hence, men have become parsimonious, that is miserly, when it comes to spending time on repair and upkeep, spiritually speaking.

     The penurious state of affairs here in America is appalling. The loss of peace, faith, and freedom is not God's fault: IT IS YOURS!

     Sloth, my friends, has become a most potent weapon against Western society—too lazy to be kept out of hell!

Days Gone By

A PASSION FOR “TRUTH” was generally held to be among mankind’s noblest aspirations. HA! Today it is falsehoods. The basic belief today among the churchites is “we’re going to Heaven no matter how in the Hell we live!”

     Wherever the pure message of God's love and acceptance in Jesus Christ has been shared, people have raised the same objection: “But you’re giving people a license to sin.” Actually, I have noticed that people are sinning quite well without a license, but that is beside the point. It’s not a new question; Paul faced it many times. In fact, he raised it himself in his letter to the Romans, knowing as he did what was going through people’s minds as they listened to his explanation of the Gospel: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?...What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” (Romans 6:1, 15).

     In both cases his answer is “By no means!” It’s as if he were saying, “What an absurd question!” And it is an absurd question when you understand the love and grace of God and know about Christ living in you.

Obsessed!

AMERICANS (and the world in general) ARE OBSESSED WITH SIN! Sexing, drinking, drugging, lying, stealing, murdering—the list goes up to heaven…and yet, Americans get outraged at people like me for telling them there is a pay day someday. That day, my friends, has arrived.

     The real goal for the born again believer is to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ…” (Jn. 17:3). We can’t fully know them while we’re eating off the vile table of the world.

     We should be obsessed with seeking to know and serve our Lord. But, you see, Americans—both saved and unsaved—are like the hypocrites Jesus pronounced WOE! upon:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence…You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:25, 27, 28).

     These same “religious” hypocrites were the same ones who crucified our Lord. Try to preach separation, dedication, consecration in today’s worldly Church, while they will toss you out on your butts.

     The hypocrisy of those legalists (who added plenty of “their” invented laws) didn't want to repent. No sir! They couldn’t care less about doing that. They were obligated to defend their hypocritical ways of life. Job security, dear ones, job security was at stake.

Are You Weary?

“COME TO ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

     Ah, rest for our souls! This is what Americans are searching for…in the wrong places. IT is found in confession and repentance.

     True, Biblical Christianity is not “pie-in-the-sky” stuff, it is real—Jesus introduced it centuries ago: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It [the “grace of God”!] teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

     The grace and love of God is the true motivation for the Christian life.

Filled With What?

I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT, America is full of crap! I mean this. I believe this. But we’re to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not “spirits” of the damned.

     Americans are obsessed with seeking after wisdom of the ancients (not Bible ones, either), seeking to be empowered with power (even if in the form of devils!). The apostle Paul explains:

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power….to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19).

     This should be our quest—our “vision quest”.

Without Laws?

NO! CHRISTIANITY STILL HAS LAWS. When the Bible says we aren’t under the law any more, it doesn’t mean lawlessness / standard-less—we are under a higher law, a higher standard, called in Scripture as “the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) and “the law of liberty” (James 1:25).

     Under grace, God says to us through the apostle Paul:

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

     And so, here we go. And loving our neighbor does in no way mean loving their sin / sins. It is being taught today that we’re to accept and love the practicing homosexual / lesbian / bisexual / transgender / queer etc. The Bible never hints at such a thing—we’re to love them and others enough to share God's Word with them; His Word condemns unlawful sex acts, both homo and hetero.

     Our duty as Christians under command is to preach and teach God's Word, not compromise His standards, laws, but to compel men and women to surrender their damned lives unto Him. We serve one another by telling them Biblical Truths, not “politically correct” crap!

     The overweening spirit today is to make up our own rules for behavior. Well, go ahead, damnation will be the result.

     Don’t remain a pachyderm rebel, repent and be saved today. Amen.

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[Study material has been adapted from its original sources.]