The Symbol Of True Liberty

The statue of liberty is an iconic landmark that became the symbol of freedom and democracy around the world. It was erected in the New York harbor and dedicated on October 28, 1886, as a gift of friendship from France. Lady Liberty’s illuminated torch also served as a navigational aid for vessels entering the harbor. Most people today talk about all kinds of liberties both in our society and in many local churches. But their concept of liberty is having freedom to commit sin and doing almost anything they want. Peter warns us about many false teachers that would corrupt people’s minds and “who privily shall bring in damnable heresies” (v. 1).

But “they themselves are the servants of corruption!” They are misled by “the spirit of error” (1 Jn 4:6), and entice people with their “great swelling words of vanity” (v. 18); to bring their listeners “in bondage.” True liberty in Christ does not mean that we have a license to sin or we can use it “for an occasion to the flesh” (Gal 5:13). When we trusted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour by faith (Gal 3:26), He has made us “free indeed” (Jn 8:36), from sin’s bondage (Gal 5:1).

Jesus has redeemed us by His blood and death on the cross (1 Cor 6:20), when He paid the terrible price required by our sin. And because we have been made free from sin, we “became the servants of righteousness” (Rom 6:18). Therefore, we must be the living symbols of the liberty we have in Christ (2 Cor 3:2), through all our actions, choices, and interactions with others. Let us build strong families, churches, and communities that reflect God’s love, grace, and compassion (1 Tim 1:14). Let us continue to pray for America as we celebrate her birth with the spirit of true freedom. And let us raise our torches high (Mt 5:14), to help illuminate the pathway towards righteousness (Prov 12:28). God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera