BONDAGE AND FREEDOM by C. H. Bliss

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 14, 1889

BONDAGE AND FREEDOM.

By C. H. Bliss

It is not an uncommon thing to hear those who have rejected the commandments of God, refer to those who observe them as in a state of bondage, while they boast of their liberty. I once heard a minister say that if he believed the law was binding he would shut himself up in a close room every Sabbath day and consider himself a prisoner. But how is this? Are those who disobey the law at liberty? or are those who keep it? Here is a man who strictly observes the laws of the Government under which he lives. He pays his taxes, he respects his neighbor's rights. He walks at liberty and enjoys perfect freedom. But here is another man who steals, and defrauds his neighbor, and is lawless. By and by he is arrested, and shut up in prison. This seems like a strange way to obtain liberty; but strange as it is, some prefer the fate of the transgressor. Says David, "I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts." So says every loyal child of God.

Not even the observance of the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic ritual would place one in bondage. Bondage does not result from doing, but from not doing. The Jews were not in bondage because they observed so many rites and ceremonies, but because they depended upon their observance for justification, thus rejecting Christ, the only means of salvation. In 1 John 3:4 we read that "sin is the transgression of the law;" and in Rom. 3:23 that "all have sinned;" and again (verse 19), "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Thus by transgression all are under condemnation. In Acts 4:12 we read that "there is none other name [but the name of Jesus] under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The Jews rejected Christ, and continued the observance of rites and ceremonies which were types of him, depending upon them for salvation. But as the blood of these sacrifices could not take away sin, this people, with all others who reject the Saviour, remain under the law (under condemnation). But this bondage does not result from doing rites and ceremonies, much less from the observance of the moral law. But all who continue to sin (transgress the law) remain in a state of condemnation (in bondage) until they have repented (ceased transgressing the law) and obtained pardon through faith in Christ. Thus we find that the liberty of the gospel is freedom from condemnation. And this being true it follows that when those who have obtained pardon turn back again to sin (transgressing the law) they re-enter a state of condemnation and are under the law and in bondage. "Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever." Deut. 5:29. C. H. BLISS.