Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There is Liberty
The Spirit Of Liberty
Paul says,
” Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. “
2 Corinthians 3:17
When the Spirit of the Lord is present, one of the manifestations that always occurs is Liberty. Merriam-Webster defines Liberty as:
“The quality or state of being free, the power to do as one pleases, freedom from physical restraint, freedom from arbitrary or despotic control, the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges, and the power of choice”
Therefore, to the extent that people enjoy such freedoms, we say they enjoy liberty; to the extent that people lack such freedoms, we say they are in bondage.
Our country was based upon, among others, these words,
” We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The idea of America is founded upon freedom from tyranny and it is why the revolutionary war was fought. This idea of liberty is so precious to us, many men and women gave their lives in wars defending it.
We also paid a high price for religious liberty
Likewise, the Puritans came to America to worship God in such freedom too. These people felt that they could not serve God in the Anglican church. Therefore, they risked all by crossing an ocean and pioneering a new world to gain religious liberty.
In our day and age, we value religious liberty so much, we even champion the right of other religions to practice their beliefs among us. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and every other type of religion are welcomed to worship as they desire on our shores.
If you crush God’s children, how will you stand in the day of judgment?
However, though many Christians believe in religious liberty, the words and actions of some are tyrannical. For some Christians, you must believe exactly as they believe or else they marginalize or even shun you. Instead of allowing God to lead and guide their members, they employ terrible, coercive tactics to keep God’s sheep in line.
In some congregations, you must believe a certain way in order to receive their love. They only treat you as a child of God “if” you agree with them. If someone in their congregation does not obey, they “make” them “repent”. They even cast out others for Christ’s namesake, saying to themselves “let the Lord be glorified”.
Crushing those whom God loves, misguided believers hide behind doctrine, turning the words of Paul into an instrument of torture, relegating supposed heretics to Satan. Having no sympathy, they invite the Devil to punish others until they “get in line”. Where is God in such punishment? Who made you judge and jury of another man’s servant?
While Jesus forgave the woman caught in the very act of adultery, some hardened legalists cannot even spare their own flesh from the fires of hell.
Jesus says,
” …Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. “
Matthew 25:40
What part of this don’t they understand? Don’t they know that by harming one that Jesus loves they are hurting the Lord himself?
The Tabernacle Blessing is liberty
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. However, where the Spirit of the Lord is lacking, there is tyranny. Caring not for the plight of those around them, some preach and teach another gospel that lacks judgment, mercy, and faith. Shame on such people, they are blind leaders of the blind. Such know not the God of love.
The Tabernacle Blessing is true liberty to follow God’s Spirit wherever He may lead. To those who have elevated the New Testament to “another law”, God’s love is freedom to such bondage. We do not listen to what you say because we do not hear our Father’s voice. We are no longer bound to your law and we will not submit to those who do not walk in the law of love.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty – not bondage
In conclusion, God is coming to His church and is doing a new thing. God never forces anyone to do anything, but merely gives us a choice. If you are a believer who desires to be free, the glorious liberty of the sons of God awaits you.
Finally, love is a choice. Choose compassion even if you don’t intellectually understand it. Seek to heal and mend rather than to rend and wound. If your heart aches because of the words you inflict, listen to His Spirit rather than your head. Be a child of God rather than a disciple of Satan. Listen to and obey God’s Spirit, eschewing the bondage that caused the Jews to crucify their Messiah.
This blog reminded me of some musing i did a few years ago so thought would post it here, though I have edited it to make a little shorter!
_____________________________________________________________
THEOLOGY OF FEAR!
Whenever someone tries to fear me into changing my theology, it only assures me I must be on the right track. Why? Because the truth has nothing to do with fear.
Mick Mooney
———————————————
How do we choose what theology we take on board?
How much theology is driven by fear?
Fear of death with nothing, fear of rapture, fear of hell, fear of God, fear of sins past present or future, fear of repercussions etc…
If perfect love drives out fear, then why is a lot of theology based upon fear?
How is it Godly if it appears to contradict scripture in regards to perfect love drives out fear?
Love is stronger than fear, I think preaching love over preaching fear would be more effective.
There are many different kinds of fears. Distinguishing between what theology is a umm how to put it, justified fear, or rightful fear, to theology which is rooted in say bad or wrongful fear.
I don’t want to believe in a God and have a relationship based in fear any more than I do with a relationship with anyone on earth.
Maybe best if work with and on discernment before undertaking theology. Maybe get the spiritual part of our faith in place and be spiritually in tune with God before looking at theology, otherwise you will just pick up man’s ways.
So I am saying the wisdom is in being Spirit Led and not Doctrine Led, which often ends up in theology of fear. Lets look at being Spirit Led…
1 Corinthians 13
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
And the fruits of the spirit one. Gives you a good idea of what is Godly or not.
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Your trust ultimately should be in God and not in people. However, when you witness God in others, you automatically trust that person because you see God in them. This is how you shall ‘know them’, by their fruits, this is what Scripture states. Nowhere in those Scriptures does it use any word that denotes fear, negativity to be of God. Therefore don’t accept theology and doctrine that drives just such things into your life. It is like eating stale or mouldy food, will poison you. Eat fresh food, meat that will build you up!
Its all about love at the end of the day. Love your neighbour. Is love really a regulated thing? no its a verb, its an action, its a spontaneity about it.
The thing about Jesus, He went to those in society that society ignored, mocked or stepped over. Didn’t matter to Him if He was going against the tide of society, He simply did what was right.
___________________________________________
Love is the opposite of logic.
Logic is argumentative, aggressive upon the mind, splits the world into right and wrong, us and them.
Love is generative, compassionate, embracing all creation.
Logic pays attention to what is being said.
Love pays attention to how things are said.
Logic leads to debate.
Love leads to communion.
Practice love to be closer to God!
________________________________________________
God doesn’t make promises lightly!
If God didn’t keep a promise, why would I believe anything else He has to say? broken promises lead to mistrust.
Sometimes, for me anyway, things just are, it is because it is. I think sometimes that people feel they have to justify their beliefs or faith, or validation.
As much as yes theology is great, and people going backwards and forwards on the semantics, some declaring heresy, some only concerned in getting their ‘truth’ across…everyone’s a teacher, but when talking all the time, listening gets less time, so ya don’t hear the same. Amen
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do what God says I can do
So don’t fear the fear. Don’t go to pieces – go to His peace. You can do what He says you can do. He will give you strength as you step out.
~ Anonymous.
Thank you for writing boldly and saying things just as it is. This in essence is writing without adding or taking away from the revelation and word of God!
Be blessed and be a blessing always 💖🔥
Dear Esther,
Yes, for a belief who’s champion overcame so much, there does seem to be an enormous amont of fear in His people. I liken it to a child who is introduced to a new place they have never been before. If their Father is with them, they play and explore, secure in the knowledge that they are protected. However, if that same child is placed in that same situation without a parent to watch over them, fear sets in because they feel unprotected.
All fear means is that we do not feel the presence of God in our lives. Perfect love casts out fear and when we feel God’s love we have confidence to be free in Him, knowing that He watches over and protects us.
Great comment, you did well!
Big hugs and a holy kiss!
Michael