Sermons

19/3/17                                                               True Freedom                                                    Galatians 5:1-12

‘A Long Walk to Freedom’, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography describes a fight for freedom we support as Christians. Freedom from unjust imprisonment, inhumane treatment and alienation. Anglican Aid’s partner in Pakistan, Miracle School Ministries recently rescued a family from modern day slavery. We praise God for that. As Christians we support the principle of freedom. But there is a dark side to the desire for freedom we ought to understand. Emerging first in the Garden of Eden, tainting the pursuit of freedom ever since. Human autonomy clothed in the respectable language of freedom and rights. Autonomy from our Creator. Freedom from constraints that we believe inhibit us being in charge of our own destiny. The loudest voice is often the voice demanding freedom to exercise whatever right an individual believes satisfies their need for self-determination. Tragically this is no freedom at all but captivity to the desires and thoughts of our sinful nature. The pursuit of that freedom is not the freedom on offer from our Creator. True freedom brings with it the joy of experiencing what it means to be fully human. Freedom and slavery are important themes in Galatians. Not the freedom Nelson Mandela eventually won. Not the slavery so cruelly endured by poor, lower caste families in the brick kilns of Lahore, Pakistan. The freedom found in knowing God and being known by him. The slavery of fruitlessly trying to earn favour with God.   When true freedom is under attack. When ongoing spiritual slavery is taught deliberately or carelessly, the Apostle Paul defends and attacks. Not like a trained, skilled soldier. Like a loving parent protecting their children. Some tag Paul as ungodly when in defence/attack mode. No, on display is the chosen, equipped Apostle of Christ speaking the words of God with the mind of Christ. Paul’s passion that his spiritual children enjoy true freedom is evident in his verbal assault on the agitators for circumcision as a necessary means of salvation. In v7-9 he describes them as runners interfering with competitors, debaters diverting attention from the real topic, yeast working its way through all the dough. Verse 12 sums up his passion ‘As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!’ Inevitably we are always seeking to be free from something or someone. Is the discovery and enjoyment of the freedom only God offers a passion for you? I trust our searching of the great truths of Galatians 5 today and next week will whet our appetite and delight our hearts. Five truths about true freedom. First, Christ died to achieve true freedom. ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. v1a True freedom is not freedom to do whatever you choose. It is freedom from the judgement of God for failing to completely obey the law. The impossible task of trying to earn salvation. Inescapable slavery.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ v1b Brothers and sisters, this freedom can only be achieved by Christ’s death in our place. Second, the righteousness of Christ is a mark of true freedom. God looks at us and sees Christ in all his perfection. The Holy Spirit reminds us that though we know we are far from perfect God overlooks that. We are united to Christ and take on his righteousness. By faith we trust that we are clothed with the perfection of Christ. One day we will see the perfection of Christ we have when we experience face to face fellowship with him. ‘For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.’ v5 Sisters and brothers rejoice with me in this profound truth. Like you, I am weighed down by those things I rightly don’t like about myself; character traits, sinful habits. But the burden is lifted. I can live victoriously alongside my frailties and weaknesses because as his adopted son God sees only Christ when he looks upon me. What freedom. I don’t have to pretend, I don’t have to slavishly try and please God by being better and doing better. I don’t have to be weighed down by the burden of guilt. Instead I am set free to live in his service rejoicing in the ongoing reconstruction work of his Spirit in my life. That gift is yours and mine in Christ. That is true freedom. Praise God. Third, true freedom releases true love. Faith at work in us issues in a love for God and others. Not conditional love shaped by the beauty and attractiveness of the object of love. Agape love, unconditional, Christ like and aroused by the needs of others and the conviction that all people are made in the image of God. Paul says, ‘The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.’ Brothers and sisters, living the freedom we have in Christ is a testimony to the world. The testimony of faith that pours out love, richer and deeper than what passes for love in this self centred, self-focused world. Is that love pouring out of you? Fourth, true freedom grows conviction of truth. The freedom of life in Christ is a life where the Holy Spirit, received by faith, faith alone, convicts us of truth and strengthens us to stand on that truth. A work of the Spirit that protects us from an immaturity that Paul likens to being tossed around by the waves.  Ephesians 4:14,  ‘Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.’  That verse comes alive for me when I recall my experience as a non-swimmer in my early school days. Only one event was open to me at the school swimming carnival. Cork capturing. Special event for non-swimmers. The teacher throws a heap of corks into the toddlers’ pool. The winner is the one capturing the most corks in the allocated time. It takes great skill to catch corks bobbing up and down in the increasingly turbulent water. Paul is confident the Galatian Christians will stand firm convinced by his teaching, eyes open to the fact the cross and circumcision are polar opposites. ^‘ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.’ v10-11 At the Cross freedom is won for those who believe. Circumcision, as a requirement of salvation, is unable to bring freedom in Christ. The choice is one or the other not both as partners in salvation. Fifth, true freedom is the life of grace. A life lost to those seeking salvation outside of faith in Christ. Verse 4 ^‘You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.’ Grace is worthy of more attention. The life of grace is living without fear of judgement and condemnation. Set free to serve without fear of failure. Set free to submit to Christ as his servants. His service is perfect freedom. Sisters and brothers, the circumstances of life with all its injustices and setbacks often move us to desire or pursue freedom from those things that we believe diminish our lives. In the end any freedom won or personal rights asserted fail to provide our deepest need as human beings. To be set free from the emptiness of separation from God and the burden of trying to reconnect with God by our own efforts. Only the freedom that Christ achieves for us, and graciously offers us, will produce true and lasting freedom.

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