James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
What is it about freedom that is so enticing? Patrick Henry once exclaimed “give me liberty or give me death” to the second Virginia convention at the start of the revolutionary war.
Liberty describes being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.
Mankind has always desired a measure of freedom, and yet there have been many examples of people subjecting themselves to bondage and oppressive authorities, and doing so with an evil purpose.
When Israel desired to be free of God’s rule, they sought after a king to lead them and God warned them of the consequences through the prophet Samuel.
1 Samuel 8:20 “So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking for a king from him”
Samuel warned them of what was to come if they chose a king to rule over them. He would take their sons and subject them to cruel tasks, fighting in wars, and working his fields. He would take their daughters as wives and concubines, forcing them to cook and bake for him, while subjecting the people to taxes and slavery.
Then the Lord issued them a warning..
1 Samuel 8:18 “And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”
Liberty looks great from a selfish position, particularly from a perspective of choosing one’s own path. But if the people are foolish, liberty turns into ruin for those guided by fear or pride.
1 Samuel 8:19-20 “But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”
The Lord will warn His people of a bad decision they are making, He will forewarn them of the consequences of their choice of action, but He does not force them to be wise. The freedom that God allows can also lead to ruin.
You may say…then the freedom is bad! It has lead to so much suffering and pain, and every nation on earth has experienced the heart that has turned to evil.
This Present Darkness
For those who wonder why there is so much evil in the world, why there are so many thieves, and murderers, and destitute men, they need only look inward and see the darkness that lies at the heart of mankind.
The thought that I could be evil can be offensive. I would never do what that person has done, would be the exclamation. But the Bible says the same dark sinful nature in those who are evil, resides in everyone. Every person on earth has the nature to do unspeakable crimes against their fellow man. What a person chooses to do is often founded upon their moral position.
Genesis 6:5 “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
God gives people a choice to walk in the freedom that comes by subjecting themselves to His rule, or the slavery that comes by placing themselves under satan’s rule that he claims is freedom.
The idea that liberty can come through God’s law seems like a paradox. How can an entity such as the law bring greater freedom? When most people consider the law, they think of the restrictions and consequences that come through the law. But the law of God acts more like a keeper, protecting those who adhere to its design and guiding them in the way of the Lord, freeing them from the dark path separated from God.
Eventually, Saul was placed as king over Israel and it didn’t take long for him to act corruptibly. Saul’s demise didn’t happen suddenly, nor did God turn His back on Saul because of the people’s rejection of God’s rule. To the contrary, it says initially God gave Saul a new heart to rule.
1 Samuel 10:9 “When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.”
His heart was not given in a moral or spiritual sense, not a new heart or a new spirit, as in conversion, but in a civil sense, a right heart, a heart fit for government; filled with wisdom and prudence to rule a people; with courage and magnanimity to protect and defend them against their enemies.
God equips those whom He calls.
You may be asking…what does the law of liberty have to do with Saul and the people of Israel?
The way the people subject themselves to rules and authorities parallels in a way the spiritual laws and authorities that influence our lives today.
Kings or presidents impose laws and regulations that govern the people. Bad rulers often impose wicked laws. America has had many bad rulers who have taxed the people heavily, imposed rules that allow for the murder of unborn children, and have forced society to teach curriculum in schools that promotes sexual confusion and a lack of identity in kids. America was once ruled by Christian men who recognized the Bible as the absolute authority and the people flourished under its guidance.
Doing the Work
For those who have looked into God’s law of liberty and continue in it, James reminds us that that they are not forgetful hearers but doers of the work, and they will be blessed in all they do.
How are God’s people equipped for such work?
1 John 5:8 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
First, only those born of God have the ability to do the work of God. We should never expect unbelievers to follow God’s laws or honor God in their actions. Paul reminds us that there is not one person who does good on earth, not on their own at least.(Romans 3:12)
Second, just because God’s people have been given a new heart, doesn’t mean they lack the choice of being obedient. The choice to obey God is a decision we all must make every day. David declared the necessity of making the right moral choice.
Psalm 119:106 “I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.”
Righteousness is a choice and God equips His people to make that choice. He gives them a new spirit and the ability to follow God’s leading by the strength He provides.
Third, the path of freedom is found in consistency of character. The integrity of the upright guides them and the character qualities of those who have founded their lives on the Word of God leads to much blessing.
Psalm 26:1 “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.”
The path of freedom requires a persistent walk of faithfulness. Bondage awaits the one who is lead astray. How satan is able to lure people back into the pathway of death requires much cunning and deceit. God’s people must be diligent in the Word of God, consistent in remaining in the fellowship of believers, and continuous in prayer. For those who remain until the end, great joy awaits them.
Blessings will Follow
The blessings of God are manifold. They encompass every avenue of life, they cascade down through your children and grandchildren, and spill forth into the lives of God’s people. The blessings of God are eternal and for those who partake there is life and peace.
Psalm 18:16-19 “He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”
The moral law leads people in freedom. When they place the Lord as preeminent over their lives, they choose His freedom. When they choose to obey over the allure of the flesh, they choose freedom. When God’s people decide that they are dead to sin and alive in Christ, they choose the blessings that God’s freedom supplies.
Seek the Lord, ask him if there is anything that obstructs your path and He will lead you in the everlasting way. He is faithful to do it and His power will keep you until the end.
U.T. 