Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1078
The Sinner’s Fantasy Freedom
by Larry Ray Hafley
The man of the world revels in his freedom from Christ. "I am not," he declares, "shackled to the constant pang of a guilt ridden conscience. I am free to do as I please." Such an one is not merely "shackled." He is in the devil’s straightjacket! ("While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption"-2 Pet. 2:19). But, faithful Christians are not oppressed by a tormented conscience. Through the blood of Christ, there is continual cleansing or freedom (1 Jn. 1:7, 9).
The unsaved are servants. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness" (Rom. 6:16)? "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" and "of the devil" (Jn. 8:34; 1 Jn. 3:8). There is no freedom apart from the Lord. There is only bondage. Truly, the "freedom" of the sinner is a fleeting fantasy.
In Christ there is liberty, not license. In servitude to Satan there is license, not liberty. The wages of sin-eternal punishment in hell-make it a cruel taskmaster. Let the Lord release you from the grip of sin so that you may enjoy the liberty of eternal life. Obey the gospel!
