March 10

Our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 2:4.

CONCERNING which we have four admonitions to urge. First, Hold fast this liberty “wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage.” This is the admonition which the apostle himself gives to those Galatians. If Christians lose not their estate, they may lose some of its spirit; they may lose some of its enjoyments, and some of its noble profession; they may tremble when they should be bold, and temporize when they should be firm; they may conceal and cringe when they ought to be open as the day. “If reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.” It is enough for the disciple to be as his master, and the servant as his Lord.

Secondly, Do not abuse your liberty. “Brethren,” says the apostle, “ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Remember, your liberty is not liberty to sin. Why, the thought of continuing in sin that grace may abound quite shocked the apostle, who said, “God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein?”

Thirdly, Improve this liberty. In one sense we cannot: its provisions surpass all expression and conception. But we mean we should make use of it and improve it. As to ourselves, we should be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” We should seek to be exemplary-to be useful-and to show forth the praises of Him “who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light,” and to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

Fourthly, Recommend this liberty to others only. We should be careful to exemplify what we recommend. Christians should show what their religion has done for them and what it has done in them, and then they may expect and hope that it will do something by them, for then our address to others will be effectual; if we hold forth the word of life by our tempers and conduct, it will not be difficult to hold it forth by our lips. It is when we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, we may go and say to others, “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good, for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.”

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”