In the new testament, the greek word translated as “liberty” or “freedom” conveys the meanings –
“able to come and go at one’s pleasure” and
“exempt from obligation or liability”.
The first of these meanings is basically the opposite of the state of slavery. Those who are enslaved, are not free to come and go at their pleasure. They are not able to freely make decisions that they judge as best for their well-being or happiness. They are forced to perform according the will and whims of another who wields control over them.
And though most of us are not in a position of physical slavery today, it does not mean that we are truly free.
The Bible tells us that we are ALL slaves, but slaves to our sins rather than to a human master.
John 8:34 (NASB) Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
Romans 6:16 (NASB) Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
Sin is born out of our selfish desires, for power, possessions, popularity or pleasure. We often find ourselves occupying much of our time or our thoughts with sin, sometimes neglecting more important matters or activities that we know we need to and even desire to attend to. We find ourselves unable to free ourselves of that sin, even when we deeply desire to do so.
That is the slavery. That is what keeps us from better things, and more worthwhile and productive pursuits. And it keeps us from being the kind of people God desires us to be, just as good parents want their children to be kind, well behaved and helpful in the home, which contributes to a happy and peaceful experience for the whole family.
The Bible tells us that we are also destined to be punished for our sins. That is the “liability” we ALL are under.
Romans 3:23 (NASB) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Just as our system of justice requires a sentence of punishment for those who have been convicted of crimes, we are ALL guilty before God and destined to serve our sentence.
Matthew 13:41-42 (NASB) “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire;
In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 12:4-5 (NASB) “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
But God has not left us without hope, and He has not left us without help.
2 Peter 3:7 (NASB) But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
God has not put us here for the purpose of punishing us, but to give us opportunity to learn how destructive our sin is, and to change our minds about our own sin (that is repentance).
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NASB) For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 6:6 (NASB) knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
1Corinthians 10:13 (NASB) No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
God has made the way to save us (free us) from His wrath and the punishment we have earned for our sins, and then He aids and empowers us to be free from our slavery to sin.
This is Biblical Liberty:
No longer fearing punishment for our sins, and
no longer helpless to escape the sins we have been enslaved to.