In this time of political elections the various parties are falling all over themselves to promise more freedom and free things to the voters but, what is the essence of true freedom? I think Scripture has the clearest answer to this question. Paul wrote to the Galatians –

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” – Gal. 5:1 (NASB)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” – Gal. 5:1 (KJV)

The King James translation has it “Stand fast” in other words we have to struggle and fight to maintain the freedom Christ gave us on the cross. So what do we have to struggle and fight against? 

(1) The very first battle is with sin, which is anything that twists God’s intent for us. Sin is the chief weapon the devil uses to put us in bondage but, Jesus set us free when He died for us on the cross –

“knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;” – Rom. 6:6 (ASV)

But the devil is wise and he knows our weaknesses and he attacks them. He uses entities like Hollywood to bombard us with fornication and adultery and all kinds of sexual sins. They twist God’s intent for sex, which was intended to procreate godly children who would love and serve the Lord. God brought the woman to the man in a covenant relationship in which they would become one. There is power in that oneness so the devil attacks with divorce and unfaithfulness, anything to destroy the ‘oneness’ God ordained.

“Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” – Mal. 2:14-16

While many are in bondage to these sins, Jesus paid the price for them on the cross if we repent and turn to Him.

(2) If the devil can’t entangle us with these sins, he will use other means such as welfare, humanism, or socialism. Welfare is not the same as charity. Charity is where I freely give of mine to help another but, welfare is the government forcefully taking what is mine to give to another – usually one who will not work. Scripture is clearly against this –

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” – 2 Thes. 3:10

Welfare and socialism promises ‘something for nothing’ but the end result is slavery. They offer government help instead of God’s help. Placing man in the place of God is humanism, or another god. When famine struck ancient Egypt, the people bought grain from Pharaoh but, where did he get the grain? He taxed the people. When the people’s money ran out, they sold their land, next they sold themselves – that is the slavery of socialism! Today people have become accommodated to welfare, in fact an entire political party thrives on promising the people welfare. It has become the foundation of the Democrat party and if anyone comes against it they are called racist or uncaring or worse. But, they are enslaving the people and robbing them of God’s blessings. As King David wrote –

“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” – Ps. 37:25

All that is required is that they live righteously, that means doing right by God’s standards.

(3) Finally, if these attacks don’t work, the devil will attack with religion. He will twist who God is or how we should worship Him. He will tell the church “God’s grace covers all” even if you don’t repent (to repent means you turn away from). He spreads such lies as “A loving God would never send someone to hell!” or he will promote church membership instead of being ‘born again’ as your ticket for heaven. So you can live like the devil and as long as you are a church member – your OK. He will infect the church with feminism and women pastors, even though the Bible teaches against this, and they will bless abortion clinics all in the name of ‘women’s rights’. The devil will bring in the concept of all inclusiveness and ordain homosexuals as pastors and leaders. He will raise the LGBT flag along side the American flag. He will try to prepare the church to be the great Babylonian harlot of Revelation.

But, God knows all about this and is well prepared. God will let the tares and the wheat grow together until the end when His Angels will separate them and cast the tares into the flames of hell.

‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” – Matt. 13:30

At the end God will say to the harlot church of Babylon –

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” – Rev. 18:4

The Bride, which is the true Church of Jesus Christ, will have made herself ready and the Great Wedding will take place.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” – Rev. 19:7,8