True freedom.
I. TRUE FREEDOM INVOLVES THAT OF THE SOUL.
1. A man may be physically free without being free indeed.
2. A man may be socially free without being free indeed. He may be in the full enjoyment of social and political privileges and yet a captive.
3. A man may be mentally free without being free indeed. His intellect may be sound and grasping, his mental vision clear and far reaching, and still be a prisoner.
4. True freedom involves that of the soul. For:
II. TRUE FREEDOM INVOLVES THAT OF THE SOUL FROM SIN.
1. Sin makes the soul captive to the Divine Law. Sin is a transgression of Divine Law, and must be punished. "The wages of sin is death." The sinful soul is under the just condemnation of the Law and the displeasure of the Lawgiver, a prisoner of the Law and justice.
2. Sin makes the soul captive to itself. "Whosoever committeth sin," etc. In the degree a man is under the control of sin, he is its slave. Sin enslaves the soul.
3. All souls by nature are in the bondage of sin.
4. In order to be truly free, the soul must be liberated from sin. A state of wilful sin is a Stats of willing captivity, and deliverance from it is essential to true freedom.
III. TRUE FREEDOM OF THE SOUL FROM SIN IS EFFECTED BY CHRIST.
1. He can liberate the soul from sin.
2. The freedom effected by Christ is most real.
LESSONS.
1. The importance of having right views of freedom. False views on this subject are so prevalent; we are so prone to make mistakes on this. They are so dangerous.
2. The importance of having right views of the enslaving influence of sin. Without this we cannot obtain true liberty. So important is this that Christ calls special attention to it: "Verily, verily," etc.
3. The importance of obtaining true freedom. Man is so prone to be satisfied with false freedom, to be self-deceived. True freedom is the only one worth having.
4. The importance of being made free by Christ. He alone can make us free.
5. The duty of gratitude to him. He is the great Liberator of humanity. Those who are made free indeed should be indeed thankful. A view of Christ as the Liberator will make heaven all ablaze with gratitude—ought to make earth.—B.T.