November 2, 2019 -- Psalm 119:44-45 -- Christian Freedom
/I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
Psalm 119:44-45 English Standard Version
Yesterday, when we examined verse 44, we noted that we keep the law of the LORD in the strength He provides for us by His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God lives in us—lives in Christians. Listening to a sermon by Stephen Richardson I heard four descriptors of “Christians”. Three kinds are Christian in name only.
“Census Christians” those who when the census takers come by state they are “Christian”—somehow it is part of their heritage.
“Affiliation Christians”—those who claim to be affiliated with a particular denomination. Jokingly they are referred to as “C & E” Christians—no, not Canadian National Exhibition Christians—but Christmas and Easter Christians—named after the two holidays that they attend church.
“Participating Christians” those who attend church on a regular basis and get involved in various activities but all of these works and their involvement is by their own effort. They expect to be credited by God for all their good works. They can resent all they are required to do.
Finally there are “Born-again Christians”—these are men and women who know they are completely new; God has taken hold of their hearts and they know their sins are forgiven, their future is bound up with Jesus Christ and His glory.
Look at the verses for today. Those who are “born again” Christians (if you wonder about “born-again” read the Gospel of John chapter 3) know the law of God gives us great freedom and wide spaces for fullness of life and joy. Those who are not Christians find the law of God constricting and too hard to follow. They would rather be straight-jacketed by the world. Let me explain.
The world does not offer you “freedom”—you must always conform. Our current Prime Minister’s view of ‘Canadian freedom’ requires all his MP’s to actively promote abortion and to export this heinous, murderous practice to other countries (using Canadian tax dollars!). Liberal MP’s must affirm every part of the agenda of the LGBT?+. There is no room for conscience. There is no place for alternate views. That is not freedom. That is totalitarianism.
The Christian finds in the precepts of God (precepts are what God has appointed to be done) a way to live in society where different views can be expressed. The Christian has freedom in living out the precepts of the Glorious God Who rescued us from sin and such Christians know these rules are guideposts for thankful living before our King. The Sabbath becomes a joy—a sanctuary in time to meet with God the triune: Him Who created us, meet with the Savior Who rescued us and meet with the Spirit Who empowers us with a view of the glories that yet await us. We do not murder—life is precious, not because of what a person can do, or produce, or contribute, life is precious because each person is made in the image of God the Glorious.
If you have read this far in today’s devotion and don’t yet know the joy of living for Jesus—I urge you, PLEASE find a Christian whose walk you admire and talk with him. Seek until you find.
Mighty God, Who lives in unapproachable light—thank You for stooping to our human weaknesses and declaring Your rich and glorious salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus our Sovereign Master, for the fullness of life You give and for the way of thankful obedience clearly spelled out in the Bible. Spirit of all Comfort Who guides us in right paths, strengthen us as born-again believers to walk in the precepts of our God. Lord of Mercy for those people in our lives who do not yet know You, we urgently pray that the joy of Your salvation will rise up and shine over them so that they will know Jesus as Savior, King and our Very Great Reward. Amen.
