The first biblical account of liberty is found in Leviticus 25:10 “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.”
The Year of Jubilee embodied the return of property and ownership. It was God’s thought of restoration for all those who were bound by the troubles and misappropriation of life. In the 50th year, payments from the past were settled and a rightful return was delivered. God’s people were never meant to stay bound. While the Children of Israel were granted this gift at the end of an era, I like what the psalmist said, Psalms 119:45 “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. To be set free is to search for God’s principles. Liberty is a constant pursuit which must be kept and protected at all times.”
While America celebrates her independence from England, the task of retaining our liberty is far from over. Our freedom to worship without constraint is our God-given right. Our voices of praise; the echoing and exampling of a holy lifestyle; and speaking the Word of God is our duty. America began in pursuit of religious freedom and we must not forsake what cost so much. Our Faith must be kept in view. Our beliefs must be spoken and pronounced. For we know that our freedoms are only as good as our resolve to defend them.
The scripture speaks of a day when evil is celebrated and righteous living is scorned. This is the day. Yet the Church stands as the last line of defense to proclaim the Goodness of the Lord. Now is the time for the Blood-bought, Holy Ghost filled people to rise up to resist the bondage of an immoral society. We are people of the Name of Jesus and it is incumbent upon us to proclaim freedom from the burden of sin. We are ambassadors of the Liberty found in the Spirit and we walk in the Light as He is in the Light.
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole