The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time in jail. Why didn’t he conspire to break out? Why didn’t others in the faith trounce the jailers and set him free? While you ponder that, let me remind you that Paul wrote the following books in the New Testament while imprisoned: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Whoa! Paul wrote four of the most encouraging books in the canon of Holy Scripture while he was stuck in jail. Paul transcended his circumstances, something his brother in Christ, the Apostle Peter, wrote about.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
— 1 Peter 3:13-17
Paul lost the lion’s share of what most people would call freedom. And yet, he didn’t spend his time writing or whining about it. He simply transcended, as Peter wrote, and was blessed for doing so. In case you missed the point, Paul was blessed for being persecuted and holding up under trial, and so are the rest of us each time we read the four so-called “prison epistles” I listed earlier. Might this be an example of what he wrote to the Romans, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21)?
As I write this blog, a lot of people are fed up with government mandates surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. I get it – we’ve all certainly been inconvenienced by things like wearing masks. Here’s the poignant question I often find myself asking (I’m thinking of only believers when I do so): Why is it that some of us are able to transcend these inconveniences while others seem to be losing their minds? I think the difference is maturity and perspective. For example, even Paul had to learn that there’s a price to being a Christian, something Jesus prepared His disciples for, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you”(John 15:20b). I think a lot of people hear the word “persecution” but forget that it’s real and it’s far beyond mere inconveniences even (in Paul’s case, it included jail time). Nonetheless, this is a learning process for all of us, and Paul shares that he was no different. Before he wrote his “prison epistles” he wrote the following:
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
— 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Apparently, God allowed Satan to harass Paul in order to forge a certain perspective in him which undoubtedly allowed him to transcend his prison circumstances and write four amazing epistles. In v10, he wrote “For the sake of Christ,” which is something we ought never gloss over. In other words, whatever perspective he had gained through his own trials, the result was a sense of duty to his Lord. Furthermore, he was blessed (ref. 1 Peter 3:14), being “content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” The lesson he learned is one that we’d do well to learn sooner rather than later, if we value our freedom in Christ. The perspective gained is at the root of answering the previous question on the table here, “Why is it that some of us are able to transcend pandemic inconveniences while others seem to be losing their minds?” The person who’s flipping out is missing the blessing of contentedness because it’s not“For the sake of Christ” that they endure; rather, it’s “For the sake of self,” which is the source of their malcontent. In other words, they are in bondage to their own poor understanding. They lack wisdom.
But there’s more. Here’s a principle that speaks to the heart of the issue:
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
— Romans 6:16-20
Paul’s entire argument in Romans 6 pivoted on the concept of freedom. V20 is particularly interesting because it summarizes that there are two types of freedom, and they are mutually exclusive. If you’re free in regard to righteousness, you’re in bondage to sin; likewise, if you’re free in regard to sin, then you’re in bondage to righteousness. You can’t be free in both simultaneously. Hold that thought.
Americans really like to talk about freedom. It’s fair to say that we boast in it even. In a secular sense, we have been afforded certain freedoms that others don’t have, like those described in the U.S. Constitution. Even so, the Bible states that, for believers, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). So, while we enjoy the relative ease of living in America, we mustn’t lose sight of the simple fact that our allegiance is to Christ, for He is our Master, “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). As we noted earlier, it’s “For the sake of Christ” (2 Corinthians 12:10) that we endure hardships and even persecutions. Since Jesus is Lord, and He has asked us to obey, it is our duty to do so (see my last blog post titled, “What, Exactly, Is Authority Orientation?”, for more on obedience to earthly authorities).
As time goes on, more and more people, some Christians, are up in arms over the government taking away their freedoms because it’s asking people to exercise social distancing. Sadly, even some popular churches have decided to defy their state ordinances to refrain from gathering, claiming an attack on the Gospel. Yet, the church is neither being singled out nor is anyone saying it can’t preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are trumped up charges that have pitted local assemblies against lawmakers; by the way, these local assemblies agreed to abide by the law when they signed their 501c3 paperwork (maybe some of these organizations should voluntarily give up their nonprofit status and start paying taxes – I’ll leave that for another blog). There are pastors calling other pastors to unify around the breaking of the law which the Word of God commands we abide by in Romans 13, among other passages. The result is just what Satan and the kingdom of darkness want – division in the Church, the Body of Christ. Hebrews 10:25 seems to be the battle cry some usurpers are using to justify their unrighteous disobedience. Let me clear the air on this (I encourage you to read the whole of Hebrews 10 for the sake of context and additional clarity).
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
— Hebrews 10:23-25
The Greek word translated “not neglecting” (in the NASB it’s translated “not forsaking”) is in the present tense, active voice, which means that it is something we do habitually ourselves. In other words, our attitude is one that doesn’t reject the idea of gathering together, as some do when they refuse to go to church, for example. It’s about the attitude of individuals towards wanting to encourage each other. Is that grounds for defying the U.S. Government? How could it be? That’s like saying that since Paul couldn’t go to church while he was in prison, his disciples had the right to break him out! That’s a terrible misappropriation of Holy Scripture, but that’s what some Christians are clinging to in their disobedience.
Instead of crying about your loss of freedom, why not find another way, like Paul did when he wrote four books in the New Testament? Why not abide by the law, as Jesus commands, and spread the Gospel? And, by the way, what is this “freedom” you speak of? Is it freedom from righteousness that you really seek? If you’re breaking the law to preserve temporal freedoms you think you’re entitled to, you’re sinning. Like I taught someone recently, the government asks us to give up certain liberties for the greater good, which is why we have things like speed limits on highways (most cars can go well over 100 mph, but we don’t drive like that for the safety of others).
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
— Colossians 3:1-2
There you have it – v2 says it all. If your mind is set on earthly things, your perception of freedom follows; however, if your mind is set on heavenly things, your idea of freedom is transcendent (“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” – Matthew 6:21).
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
— Galatians 5:1, 13-15
The kingdom of darkness is using man’s affection for earthly freedoms, where believers are supposedly losing blessings because the big, bad, evil government is conspiring against them, to divide the Church. Again, I ask, what’s this “freedom” you speak of? Is it freedom from righteousness that you really seek?
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
— Romans 16:17-19
Freedom ought to be thought of the way Christ thought of it.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
— Luke 4:16-20
When Jesus read that reference from the Book of Isaiah, He was actually reading His own words! When He said, “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives,”was He talking about breaking people out of prison, or breaking the law in any sense, or was He talking about providing a transcendent freedom to His sheep? You decide for yourself. My prayer is that you choose bondage to righteousness and freedom from sin!
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
— Romans 8:15-19
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
— 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:2
The truth is that worldly freedoms are an illusion. Sure, in the context of living day to day, we do enjoy certain liberties. But, there’s nothing in the Bible that says any of those liberties are guaranteed or permanent. In fact, the Bible is chock full of stories where said earthly freedoms are given and then taken away. It’s all a test of faith, my friends. God likes to shake things up now and then to test your faith (e.g., Covid-19). If, when tested, you react by breaking the law (or even thinking about it, or cursing the authorities in your life), then you’ve failed the test. Even if someone or something evil really is behind the loss of some freedom you hold dear, so what? Is it any less of a test, or might it be an even greater victory when you pass it? Just ask any wife who’s had to submit to a tyrannical husband who regularly abuses his position of authority in their marriage – guaranteed she’ll tell you she finds her freedom in Christ.
I’ll leave you with the enduring words of our Master.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
— John 8:31-36
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins