For Freedom we are set free…
Two scriptures have such wonderful liberating statements, they pulsate through us all who love God.   The two yet are far-reaching in impacting the way my mind thinks and how I see this liberating relationship with the Radical Jesus.   Radical being that word that is originated from ‘foundational’, that is ‘having roots’ or ‘of roots’, Jesus was radical as he dealt with humanities on the foundational issue of life.

The first of the two scriptures:

Galatians 5:1

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Freedom, I wonder what pictures of the mind, what experiences, what way of life it cultivates for us?   Freedom to stand firm, not to be enslaved to a life that is so different to the image and likeness of God that is put within us all.

The second is found in Romans 8: 20-22:
20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
21  that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now

Creation waiting for its freedom, this freedom that is directly related to humanities freedom, regaining/restoring the image and likeness of God once again.  Grasp this,  creation is waiting for the freedom in us to manifest as it wants a piece of it…     As we take hold of the image and likeness of God and live life we will live free and creation will come into its own by entering into the “…freedom of the glory of the children of God…”

Freedom a gift of God, freedom a condition of living, not something you fall into our society can off via your circumstances but according to the life we live the life of Christ which is freedom.

Why?

To bring an order of the creator to bear on all mankind and creation, the kingdom of God, freedom is living according to Gods will.   It certainly is not getting all i want but it is bringing a life order of heaven to bear on creation which begins with my freedom.

In this liberty we are to export and pilgrim our citizenship to transfer society at large.   Affecting economy, the definition and shape of family life, politics, social life style, transformation of the poor… the list goes on and on…The Freedom we live is necessary to affect you and me, transform and conform us to the image of Christ that we might transfer the world around us, being the family of God, being the radical transformed, being Restorers of people and our world.   Taking hold of the exploits God ordained for each of us before time, transforming my life and street.   Taking our position in life not waiting to be rescue or removed…

John Stott wrote in his book Issues facing Christians Today “The church must therefore exhibit its multi-racial, multi-national and multi-cultural nature. . . . Therefore every homogeneous unit church must take active steps to broaden its fellowship in order to demonstrate visibly the unity and the variety of Christ’s Church”.

Demonstrating, being an example of the full life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, explaining God (John 1:18) to the world around us and participating.   We have been brought near to God to participate in the Divine purpose, Divine movement, we have been invited into participate with God in bringing freedom, life and the image of God and to restore  all of creation

So the question remains then how far should my involvement and participation go, should it be one life at a time, one street and community at a time, absolutely resounding Yes.   Should it be in teaching, medical, economics, even again Yes but what about politics?   The answer is freedom set free to bring freedom in all, creation groaning and people reaching…

Should a Christian be Involved in Politics?   Should God’s Freedom Army, God’s revolutionist, God’s Restorers be involved?   Next time we will open up this question more fully and practically.

Freedom you are set free to provoke creation to participate with those led by the Spirit, the sons of God….