January 9

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: - Galatians 2:4.

THIS includes a freedom from the bondage of corruption. What a number of tyrants does every sinner serve! What a tyrant is Satan! The “spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” who “takes them captive at his will.” He first seduces and then torments his victims. What a tyrant is the world! They who have faith overcome the world, but all others are overcome by it. We read of those who “walk according to the course of the world,” as if they were perfectly at liberty, but they are rather drawn or dragged along in that course. They are always disappointed, and complaining, and murmuring, and always speaking against the world, while yet they suffer themselves to be deceived and tantalized by it. Their time is not their own-their will is not their own. They must do and say as others do-they cannot do as they would.

What a tyrant is Sin! “He that committeth sin,” says the apostle, “is the servant of sin;” and though, as Peter says, sinners may boast of their liberty and utter great swelling words, yet, says he, “While they promise to themselves liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought into bondage.” Is he free who is under the dominion of pride and revenge, and envy and malice? What wretch upon earth drudges like one of these with whom reason remonstrates and conscience condemns-who sees and approves better things, but follows worse?

Oh, says the apostle, looking back to the days of his unregeneracy, Oh, says he, we were “some time foolish and disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures-living in malice and envy-hateful, and hating one another.” But after this the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared. And how did it appear?-“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Grace never leaves its subjects as it finds them. It finds them slaves of Satan and of sin; but it says, “sin shall not have the dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” “Ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” “Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Why, these Christians are servants still! yes, but not slaves. They have a Master, and they obey him.

Our Master, who is in heaven, requires nothing of us but what is reasonable and righteous. His work is “honourable and glorious.” He draws by “cords of love and with the bands of a man.” His yoke is easy, and his burden is light; and his “service is perfect freedom.” We are upholden by his free Spirit; and we can say with David, “We will walk at liberty, for we seek thy precepts.”