Freedom is not being able to do whatever you want but being able to do whatever you should, a distinction that applies to all avenues of life.
There is a saying in America that "freedom isn't free," by which we mean that the opportunity or ability to chart your own course in life, to decide for yourself how you will live, while an inherent right is not an automatic one. It comes only as a result of great sacrifice by others.1 The Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This collection of "inalienable rights" is paradoxical because if God gave them then you should have them all the time, but you do not. You must seize them, by force if necessary, because there are people who would prevent your acquiring them. Most importantly, however, by not seizing freedom you relinquish that which God endowed you or wants for you. Freedom is something you must actively pursue and never take for granted lest you fall short of your potential.2
Yet man's freedom has its roots not in the Declaration document but in the creation account, and it came with a limitation God made clear at the outset:
I. The freedom God offers is advantageous, but it is not absolute.
Adam was free to eat from any tree in the garden except one. Likewise, you are free to do many things, but you are not free to do anything, and you are not free from the consequences of sin. Nevertheless, as the redeemed, you are no longer subject to judgment.6 You are exempt (or free) from that. Paul says: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:1-2).
Your freedom is not absolute, allowing you to do whatever pleases you.7 You are still responsible to God and must do whatever pleases Him. Some people might object: "That's not freedom; that's coercion. God is forcing you to do what He wants under the threat of punishment if you fail to comply." Notice, however, that the threat of punishment for disobedience (which is real), like the promise of reward for obedience (which is also real), is in the future, perhaps the distant future, potentially allowing time for many such decisions. The author of Hebrews writes, "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Heb 9:27).8 No one knows the day of his death,9 but that uncertainty can give people the false impression a day of reckoning will never really come.10 Until then they can do as they want.11 That assumption is false, of course, but countless people insist upon deluding themselves: "Let us eat and drink [today] for tomorrow [whenever that may come] we die!" (Isa 22:13b).
Still, let us not dwell on the negative, for however great a person's obligation to God...
God respects His creatures' free will. As such, He allows them to make their own decisions. For example, He does not force anyone into the kingdom who will not go. He may encourage someone in a particular direction by manipulating certain events that nudge him along a certain path, but He does not compel that person if he chooses a different path.21
II. The freedom God offers is discriminating, but it is not determinant.
That is, He does not make your choices for you, but He can keep you from suffering the effects of bad decisions. By following God...
When God initially instructs man in the Garden of Eden, He indicates that man is free to obey or not. As Adam's descendants, you also have the freedom to decide for yourselves, to obey or not. Whatever you decide will either help you or hurt you in the long run, because it will either align with God's priorities or with your own, and you will reap the consequences that accrue thereof.27 God did not force Adam to obey, and He will not force you. Nevertheless, there are consequences to any decision, good or bad, perhaps not immediately but ultimately.28
God originally intended for Adam to have access to the tree of life, but the man chose a different path instead, one that took him away from God, away from life. Thankfully, God in His wisdom and benevolence anticipated man's poor decision and provided a backup, anther plan that would still give him access to the tree, access to life.29 That plan is the one you freely chose to follow, the plan that Jesus made possible and the plan that will bring you 'back to the garden.'30
An airline pilot was scheduled to take a flight from New York to Los Angeles. The weather was too bad in NY to allow his usual on time departure. When the weather finally cleared and the pilot asked for his departure clearance, he was dismayed to hear about another delay due to the increased traffic now leaving NY. Sometime later he finally received his clearance and decided he would try to make up the time lost by asking for a direct route to LA. Halfway across the country, though, he was told to turn due South. Knowing this would now throw him further behind schedule, he inquired, quite agitated, to the controller the reason for changing course. The controller replied that the turn was for noise abatement. The pilot was infuriated and said to the controller, "Look buddy, I am already way behind schedule with all the delays you guys have given me today. I really don't see how I could be causing a noise problem for pedestrians when I am over 6 miles above the earth!" The controller answered in a calm voice, "Apparently, Captain, you have never heard two 747's collide!"Freedom is not being able to do what you want but to do what you should, a distinction God offers initially to Adam and subsequently to you.
There is a saying in America that "freedom isn't free," by which we mean that the opportunity or ability to chart your own course in life, to decide for yourself how you will live, while an inherent right is not an automatic one. It comes only as a result of great sacrifice by others.1 The Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This collection of "inalienable rights" is paradoxical because if God gave them then you should have them all the time, but you do not. You must seize them, by force if necessary, because there are people who would prevent your acquiring them. Most importantly, however, by not seizing freedom you relinquish that which God endowed you or wants for you. Freedom is something you must actively pursue and never take for granted lest you fall short of your potential.2
Yet man's freedom has its roots not in the Declaration document but in the creation account, and it came with a limitation God made clear at the outset:
The LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (Gen 2:16-17)3It is difficult to stress the importance of this passage: "The future of the race centers upon this single prohibition" (Leupold 1942 1:127). God does not explain the reason for His proscription, only the dire consequence should man disobey: death. Still, this was Man's First Taste of Freedom.4 God's permission to eat from any tree in the garden except one.5 The ensuing events, however, did not go smoothly, for man chose to rebel against God and chart a different course, a course apart from God and away from God. Thankfully, God did not give up on man but gave him the opportunity to repent his rebellion and regain his freedom. In view of this situation, you must remember that...
I. The freedom God offers is advantageous, but it is not absolute.
Adam was free to eat from any tree in the garden except one. Likewise, you are free to do many things, but you are not free to do anything, and you are not free from the consequences of sin. Nevertheless, as the redeemed, you are no longer subject to judgment.6 You are exempt (or free) from that. Paul says: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:1-2).
Your freedom is not absolute, allowing you to do whatever pleases you.7 You are still responsible to God and must do whatever pleases Him. Some people might object: "That's not freedom; that's coercion. God is forcing you to do what He wants under the threat of punishment if you fail to comply." Notice, however, that the threat of punishment for disobedience (which is real), like the promise of reward for obedience (which is also real), is in the future, perhaps the distant future, potentially allowing time for many such decisions. The author of Hebrews writes, "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Heb 9:27).8 No one knows the day of his death,9 but that uncertainty can give people the false impression a day of reckoning will never really come.10 Until then they can do as they want.11 That assumption is false, of course, but countless people insist upon deluding themselves: "Let us eat and drink [today] for tomorrow [whenever that may come] we die!" (Isa 22:13b).
Still, let us not dwell on the negative, for however great a person's obligation to God...
A. There are benefits that accrue from it....and those advantages far outweigh any perceived and temporary inconvenience.12 Moreover, you do not have to wait for the advantages, because they are available now.
1. There is the promise of His pardon.13
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isa 55:7)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
2. There is the promise of His peace.14
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (Isa 26:3).
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).
3. There is the promise of His presence.15
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you (Isa 43:2a).
All these benefits (and more) belong to you who freely choose to serve the Lord. Nevertheless, the freedom God offers is not cart blanche to do whatever you want.Jesus said, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt 28:20b).
B. There are limits (or conditions) that attach to it....limits that encourage you to stick with God's program. Yet even these limits (or calls to obedience) work to your advantage.
1. They ensure your continued protection.16
If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes...I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians... (Exod 15:26).
If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matt 6:15).
2. They ensure your continued progress.17
If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom (Deut 28:13b).
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim 4:16)
3. They ensure your continued provision.18
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit (Lev 26:3-4).
A common assertion people make is "I promise," a claim they are not necessarily able to keep even with the best of intentions. Only God can offer that kind of certainty. Only God is able to keep His word no matter how circumstances may change.19 Consequently, given the uncertainty of your ability to fulfill a promise (or vow), it is best to avoid making such and to follow Jesus' admonition: "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No" (Matt 5:37a). God does not prohibit the making of promises. He permits them and even promotes them but only under certain conditions.20 In any case, it is better that you not make a promise than that you make a promise and not keep it.If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.... 16b Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:10, 16b)
God respects His creatures' free will. As such, He allows them to make their own decisions. For example, He does not force anyone into the kingdom who will not go. He may encourage someone in a particular direction by manipulating certain events that nudge him along a certain path, but He does not compel that person if he chooses a different path.21
II. The freedom God offers is discriminating, but it is not determinant.
That is, He does not make your choices for you, but He can keep you from suffering the effects of bad decisions. By following God...
A. There is a release from harmful activities....activities that hinder your service to God but activities you must choose to avoid.
1. They restrict your testimony.22
The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you (Deut 19:20).
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans (1 Cor 5:1).
2. They restrict your productivity.23
Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit (Lev 26:20).
If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you (Rev 3:3b).
3. They restrict your longevity.24
If you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you (Lev 18:28).
Moreover...If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die (Rom 8:13a).
B. There is a release for helpful activities....activities that foster blessing from God but activities you must choose to embrace.
1. They encourage your obedience.25
I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess (Deut 30:16).
We receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him (1 John 3:22).
2. They encourage your worship.
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you. (Exod 23:25)
Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Heb 12:28).
3. They encourage your prayer.26
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him (Deut 4:7)?
There is a connection between work and worship, as evinced by the one Hebrew word that translates both concepts, not that worship is supposed to be laborious but that worship rightly done 'serves' God. Paul conveyed this connection when he wrote: "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act [or "service"] of worship (Rom 12:1). So think about your engagement of worshipping God as your involvement also in serving God, which it surely is.When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt 6:6)
When God initially instructs man in the Garden of Eden, He indicates that man is free to obey or not. As Adam's descendants, you also have the freedom to decide for yourselves, to obey or not. Whatever you decide will either help you or hurt you in the long run, because it will either align with God's priorities or with your own, and you will reap the consequences that accrue thereof.27 God did not force Adam to obey, and He will not force you. Nevertheless, there are consequences to any decision, good or bad, perhaps not immediately but ultimately.28
God originally intended for Adam to have access to the tree of life, but the man chose a different path instead, one that took him away from God, away from life. Thankfully, God in His wisdom and benevolence anticipated man's poor decision and provided a backup, anther plan that would still give him access to the tree, access to life.29 That plan is the one you freely chose to follow, the plan that Jesus made possible and the plan that will bring you 'back to the garden.'30
For the Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs