p. 2 | TRUE LIBERTY by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 7, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 27.

TRUE LIBERTY.

By W. N. G.

THE world’s idea of liberty is found in its dictionaries. In the “Standard,” the most recent publication of the kind, we find the following:—

Liberty—The state of being exempt from domination of others, or from restricting circumstances.

Now note the primary definition of domination:—

Domination—Control by the exercise of power, or constituted authority; dominion; government.

According to these definitions, liberty would mean absolute freedom from control by constituted authority. And that is just the construction which the Socialist and the Anarchist place upon the word. It is the idea of the rebellious savage who cuts loose from the restraining customs of his tribe or the controlling power of his chief. This is the idea of the infidel who chides the Christian with being unduly dominated by the God in whom he believes. The self-styled “Free-thinker” assumes that the Christian’s thought or mind is unduly dominated by his belief of the Bible. The Antinomian deems it slavery to obey the law of God, and holds up freedom from such obligation as the climax of Christian liberty.

But all this is the carnal idea. The liberty that God would have His creatures enjoy is liberty to serve Him—the unrestricted privilege of obeying His law, and enjoying His favor. This was exemplified when He brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage, and made them the custodians of His law at Sinai. This, however, the “carnal mind” does not want. It wants all the blessing without any obligation. It is enmity against God; “for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

This carnal conception of liberty—exemption from constituted authority—is the Satanic conception. It was Satan’s pursuit of that kind of liberty that caused his expulsion from heaven. And when he caused Adam and Eve to disobey God, he imparted to them the same spirit, the same misconception of true liberty. He persuaded them that God was tyrannical, and was keeping from them a knowledge of good and evil, which it was their right to enjoy.

When they yielded to Satan, instead of gaining liberty, as they supposed, they came into bondage to him. They had simply changed masters; and instead of enjoying the wise rule of Him who desired only their welfare, they came under the control of one who cared only to exalt himself. But they were still subjects—they had not even attained the carnal idea of liberty. “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.

Nor can this wrong conception of liberty ever be attained, for the reason that man is a dependent creature. Independent of the beneficence of God, he can do nothing for himself. Even in his best day, before he had forfeited the favor of God, he could not independently provide for himself. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Gen. 1:29. And after his fall, God had to provide clothing for him, and gave him the skins of the

animals over which he had formerly had dominion. Chapter 3:21.

As men increased upon the earth, imbued with the idea that liberty meant self-exaltation, the stronger naturally dominated the weaker. Bondage of spirit begat bondage of person. That there might be some restraint upon the anarchistic nature of fallen man, the Lord instituted civil government. But, like every other gift of God in the hands of sinful men, this was perverted. Rulers became tyrants, and there followed the struggle for liberty of person. There were victories and defeats. One dynasty fell and another arose in its place; one system of government was overthrown to give place to another. But in the main it was but a reversal of conditions: the victories for liberty were at best superficial triumphs—temporary, experimental. Bondage for the masses still prevailed. Even the victors were still slaves of passion, of ambition, of Satan.

Again and again the cry for liberty is heard. Here arises a hero and shouts the tocsin, Liberty, liberty! He promises liberty to all his adherents. Thousands follow, and there is a carnival of blood, of suffering, of death, and a shout of victory. The smoke clears away, and what is in view?—Bondage; bondage of person for the defeated, and bondage of heart for the victors. The question arises, Why is the human struggle for liberty so long? and why is it so often repeated on the same ground?—It is because the world’s idea of liberty is so far from the true standard. To the world it can only mean what is expressed in the world’s definition,—freedom for self, self as an individual, or as an aggregation of kindred spirits.

What then is the true ideal of liberty?—It is that which strikes at the root of the bondage. Bruising the head of the author of evil (Gen. 3:15) is the only means of establishing a true and permanent liberty. This victory can only be gained by Christ, as “Captain of the Lord’s host.” It can only be obtained through Him, and only for the individual—“whosoever believeth.” His mission to earth was to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Isa. 61:1); and, the world being in bondage to a powerful and unscrupulous master, “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), than the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As for any others who may undertake to guarantee liberty, the Scripture says, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption.” 2 Peter 2:19.

Neither army nor navy, neither general, nor admiral, nor sword, nor cannon, nor bullet, nor shell, nor torpedo, nor blockade, nor boycott, can procure for men the full measure of liberty that God would have them enjoy. Not all these can more than temporarily lift up some, while they destroy others. But “if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” This scripture brings out the contrast between human efforts and incentives to establish liberty, and the divine plan. The Jewish theory of the Messiah’s mission was that He would not only redeem them from the Roman yoke, but that He would place them above all other powers. They expected and desired liberty only for themselves, with their heels on the necks of all others. They would put to death the man who would even suggest that the Gentiles should have any benefit from the promised salvation.

But the true liberty so unites men in love that there is “neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Col. 3:11. Bringing it down to our own time, therefore, true liberty—liberty in Christ—would mean, neither Briton nor French, Scandinavian nor German, Italian nor Austrian, Russian nor Turk, Chinese nor Japanese, American nor Spaniard. If the principle of Christian liberty prevailed, each would “esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. 2:3. But we do not see this principle in any of the world’s strifes. Each nation is looking for the chief seat, regardless of consequences to the rest. The true Christian sees liberty only in Christ and through Christ. To all such the Spirit says, “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. Again it says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor. 3:17. W. N. G.