The Concept of Freedom in the Kingdom of God Part 1

Eldership in the Kingdom of God
Today’s Focus: The Concept of Freedom in the Kingdom of God Part 1
Scripture: Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16; Romans 6:15; John 16:13;

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
One of the misunderstood concepts in the Body of Christ is the concept of freedom. Even in our natural world when we talk about freedoms, they have restrictions. For example, I have a right to drink beer but if I go to a sporting event and they say no beer then that right is restricted in that venue. We have freedom in the Body of Christ but that freedom does not mean we can do whatever we want.

Galatians 5:13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only USE NOT LIBERTY (FREEDOM) FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH, but by love serve one another.

1 Peter 2:16: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as servants of God

Romans 6:15: What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? GOD FORBID!

So even in the Kingdom of God, freedom has restrictions and I want to show you how freedom has restrictions. Jesus called Holy Spirit in John 16:13 the Spirit of Truth. Now the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus is founded upon the foundation of truth. What is the truth? Jesus said this in Matthew 16:18: “And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter and upon this rock (statement), I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” What statement did Peter make? Peter said that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. So based upon that confession and belief one can find freedom from the grasps of the enemy. So freedom in the Kingdom of God means you walk freely in the truth that Jesus is Lord and the risen Savior of the World. Jesus expounds on this freedom in John 8:31,32:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YOU CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED; AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”
So you are made free by believing on Jesus. In addition you must continue in His Word and this is referring to His teaching and doctrine and we know this is about the Kingdom of God. Now if you do that, THEN ARE YOU HIS DISCIPLES. So if you do not obey His teachings and doctrines and believe on Him then YOU ARE NOT HIS DISCIPLE. Strong words but true. Now when you have this fellowship with the Spirit of God, He will bring things to your remembrance and show you things so that you are confirmed about your identity in Christ.

In the next message we will look at the correlation between Holy Spirit and freedom.

At Our Father’s Service,
Elder Calvin Calhoun, Jr.