Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
There is a book called Washington’s Immortals. The author is Patrick K. Odonnell. Washington’s Immortals tells the story of the First Maryland Regiment (Immortal 400), who saved the Continental Army from destruction, and are credited with sustaining the life of the American Revolution. The Battle of Brooklyn on August 27,1776 was just a few weeks after the United States officially declared independence from the British Empire. The British had recently sustained devastating casualties at the Battle of Bunker Hill and were looking to rid themselves of the American Army in one last campaign. In this battle, through a series of successful maneuvers from the British and some costly mistakes from the Americans, the British had isolated thousands of American soldiers and cut them off from escape. They continued their progress, and pinned down American soldiers were killed without mercy. The only way to escape was through a swamp that would leave them exposed to enemy fire while they made the slow and dangerous trek across the marshland.
Then General Washington called on the only still organized unit available, the First Maryland Regiment. They had around 400 men. Their task now would be a suicidal engagement with the enemy so that their comrades could be saved. In their desire to protect their fleeing comrades, this unit locked bayonets and engaged in close-quarter combat. They were fiercely forced back three times with severe casualties while attempting to break the momentum of the advancing British and Hessian troops. George Washington’s Immortals fought hard with courage and selfless character. This resulted in the death of all but a handful of the First Maryland Regiment. These 400 would fearlessly face thousands of enemy soldiers, knowing what their fate must be.
While these men were providing cover and sacrificing their lives, the American units moved through the swamps to safety. I want us to understand that, at this time, Independence had already been declared. It had not yet been realized.
These men who fought and died did so walking in liberty. Those who crossed the swamps were carried and walked in liberty. Their liberty cost the lives of their comrades. Because of this heroic action, the United States would be able to survive, and we, as Americans, now have a responsibility to these brave men, to walk in liberty and not to allow any enemy, foreign or domestic, to destroy this liberty. Even now, young men and women all around the country are giving up these liberties; they are electing enemies of America into positions of power and allowing them to destroy America without a shot being fired. Communism, Fascism, Idolatry, and false gods have overrun America. Indifference, ease of life, gullibility, and sin have eroded the American spirit to stand for liberty. So, Americans have put themselves under their enemies when they did not need to. They surrendered their liberty shamefully and peaceably.
Even so, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the same responsibility towards the liberty given us by the gift of God in his grace through the blood of Jesus Christ. We must walk in this liberty of grace.
Paul tells us that we have the same responsibility, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
We are to stand. To stand in something would mean exercising it, relying upon it, trusting in it, and defending it. Standing involves activity. It is not to be lazy or a sluggard, but to engage with it. It is to be bold, to hold the weight, and understand its value. We should hold it dear to our hearts. It means contemplating its importance and how we should respond to it. What does it mean to have liberty? Why is it important? What was the cost of this liberty?
Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, instructing them to walk in the freedom given to them in Jesus Christ. This is what we see in the First Maryland Regiment, and more fully in Jesus Christ, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). Then Jesus calls his disciples friends. This is very important for us to see this. You must understand that scripture tells us that Abraham was called God’s friend through faith. Jesus called the disciples friends because of their faith. You are called a friend of God in Jesus Christ, through faith. Isn’t this wonderful? Proverbs 17:17 tells us that “A friend loveth at all times…”
God, as Abraham’s friend, provided the lamb to save Abraham’s son from death. God loved his friends (Jesus’ disciples) so much that he gave his only begotten son to save them from death. Not from a figurative death, but real death, and furthermore from the coming wrath of God.
The Apostle Paul gives us more insight into what we have been made free of.
- Romans 6:18 – Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
- 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.
By this, Paul describes that we are no longer bound to obey sin, we are no longer slaves to sin. This is freedom in Christ, not to do as we will, but that our will is no longer tied to sin. This freedom was won by Jesus Christ. It is his death that redeemed us from the curse of the law. He removed sin’s power to bring us to condemnation under the law.
Romans 8:1-2 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
This is the freedom that John’s gospel speaks of in John 8:32. The liberty that Paul speaks of in our passage is ἐλευθερίᾳ (eleutheria), meaning to be unhindered and independent. It describes someone who is free from the obligations and restrictions of slavery. Paul means this in a sense to convey our spiritual freedom granted in Jesus Christ. This freedom is made alive through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Being so freed, Paul warns us not to be entangled again. In the context of this scripture, Paul is speaking of reverting to trying to perform the deeds of the Law rather than trusting in the completed work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Do not let yourself be trapped by the slavery of sin. If you do, then you have made the sacrifice of Christ to be in vain. You have put yourself under the yoke of bondage for no reason. It makes no sense to run back to the law when you can run to the grace of God. Our righteousness is not in the law; it is grace. Paul says in verse 5, “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith”.
This means that we have been made righteous in Christ. That is, his decency has been given to us. We are seen as pure because of the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed to pay for our sins. He gave his life so that we could live.
Just like the American colonies declared independence, yet had not seen it. They still had to walk in it to come to the appointed time when they would see it. That is faith! They walked in liberty, even though they had not yet seen it.
So we must walk in the liberty that was promised us in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. Our forefathers kept their faith that God was establishing the United States in freedom, by his spirit. So too must we continue to walk in the Spirit, trusting God to deliver us into liberty and into eternal life. Paul reminds us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
The question beckons… Why would you so easily surrender the liberty that such a great sacrifice was made for? Why would you allow lies to steal your freedom?
This Psalm has been in my heart all week…
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. (Psalm 119:42-48).
Walking in liberty is to trust in the Word of the Lord, delighting and keeping His Law of Grace, speaking of the great things that He has done before the great and small without shame, lifting up holy hands, openly loving God, and meditating on his ways. You know, I find it fitting to see that phrase, “will not be ashamed”. We are seeing it played out. The enemies of our American liberty are trying to convince us to be ashamed to be Americans, and the world is trying to convince us to be ashamed of being a true Bible-believing Christian.
I think we are commanded to do the opposite. We are to be bold in our faith and proclaim the blessings the Lord has given us. One of those blessings is the 4th of July and American Independence. The greater one is the liberty from sin given us in the Blood of Christ. I challenge you to walk in the liberty that Christ provided for us in the shedding of his BLOOD. Exercise the freedom you have and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ, standing firm in the authority of his Word. You do not need to bow down to any man, angel, god, or ideal. You just need to confirm the new life he has promised you. The battle is before you; be strong and of good courage, and remember he has already liberated you.
The Way of Christ Ministries 