The Freedom Jesus Gives

“The Freedom Jesus Gives!”

2 Peter 2:17-21

David P. Nolte

Today we celebrate and appreciate our nation’s freedom. Freedom purchased and maintained by the sacrifice of the nation’s finest. From July 4, 1776 to the present we have enjoyed 241 years of freedom. Freedom sure beats the socks off of the alternative. Yet people allow themselves to be put into bondage to something

There is a huge difference between freedom and license. Freedom is liberty to do what we choose insofar as it does not impede or interfere with the freedom or safety of another. License cares nothing for others, it looks to its own interest, good, and liberty. Freedom says, “You have a right to swing your arm around like a windmill – but that freedom ends where my nose begins.” License says, “If your nose gets in the way of my fist, tough luck for you!” Freedom says, “You allowed to drive your car on the freeway, but you are not allowed to drive north in the southbound lanes.” License says, “I’ll drive as I like and let the other guy beware!” Freedom is a good thing – license is not.

Peter wrote: “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (NASB).

Peter said, in reference to false teachers, advocates of unfettered liberties, “These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.” 2 Peter 2:17-21 (NASB).

Let’s consider our freedom from 3 perspectives:

I. IT IS A CONTROLLED FREEDOM:

A. “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering (excuse) for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.”

1. Freedom is not license! License is using freedom as a covering for sin.

2. We substitute license for freedom to the endangerment of the salvation of our souls.

3. Hear Peter again concerning the danger of following teachers of absolute, unbounded freedom, “who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”

B. Controlled freedom is that which, with regard to sin in its various forms, declares:

1. “That’s not for me!”

2. “I want no part of that!”

3. “Others may, I may not!”

4. “I’d rather eat a live chicken than to indulge that sin!”

C. By controlled freedom, I mean: the ability and desire

1. To eschew and renounce known sin – however pleasurable.

2. To say, “No!” to the tempter when he entices us with our own desires.

3. To say, “Yes!” when the Holy Spirit urges us to obedience or some service for others.

4. To limit your rights for the good of others. Your freedom of speech does not include slander or perjury or yelling “Fire!” In a crowded theater when there is no fire.

D. We are free to choose our master and our actions – but Paul wrote, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:15-18 (NASB). Bad choices, bad consequences; good choices, good consequences.

E. We had a little dog, a Chihuahua-terrier, named Boots. Every Christmas, Boots would tear open a package or two of Keri’s – if they contained candy or other tasty edibles. She never chose John’s, or any of Marlene’s or mine. Here’s the point: She had the run of the house, she had food, she had a lot of freedom; but she pushed her freedom beyond the bounds of liberty and into license and encroached on Keri’s right and freedom to enjoy her gifts. Boots’ freedom was, unfortunately, uncontrolled.