"But the one who looks into the perfect law, of the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."1
This principle of Liberty Christ proclaimed, “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,"2 Let us look more at the principle of Liberty.
"So speak and so act as by the principle of liberty, as if to be judged by."7
We are to be under this principle of liberty in the Church but what is it? we see a hint here in that we will be judged by it. Judgment is a key element of this principle, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."8 We are released from the Law and as Paul writes all things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. In this liberty what is beneficial is the consideration of building up of my brother in faith. I will be judged by what I do, especially how I judge another. At work in this principle of Liberty is the Principle of Love, that I will not use my Liberty to cause my brother to stumble.
"My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me."9
Like the purpose of Grace, in order that we fulfill the requirements of God in the Spirit, Liberty also has a purpose, that we are not under judgment, fear and condemnation, but we are being perfected in love. In such we are allowing Truth to transform us to the image of Christ. Liberty is not determined by the conscience of another but by the Lord, "For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?"10 And also who am I to judge a servant of Christ?11 But I bear my own load, not comparing myself to my brother, but to fulfill the principle of Christ, willingly, in gentleness, lifting his burden.
"and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like, but the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."8
Truth is our judge. I am judged when I look into truth, not a hearer only. Under the law of liberty I know truth is for my good. If I am under fear and condemnation how can I allow correction? Those who persevere are those who are doers of the word. Persistence is a great quality in the Bible, we see the persistent widow before unjust authority, even an unjust judge rewards justice by such persistence. Persistence produces character, thus a Church that doesn't allow such growth in Liberty inadvertently are purposely is not producing persistence thus men of character.
Authority that would say you have only two choices, submit or leave neglects this idea of proclaiming truth. The early Church was bold to proclaim the truth of the gospel. Matthew 18 gives a process of meditation, which is bringing the truth before others, for accountability. Steven stood up to authority, which had denied the truth, I must too be bold to stand for truth, in the correct way, though Steven was stoned he did not attack them, nor throw rocks at them, nor kill their donkeys, no, he proclaimed truth to them. Darkness doesn't like the Light, and it doesn't like Liberty.
"So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way."8
The purpose of godly discipline is to build up, or the edification of my brother, who is the Church. We make this great distinction as to know what is godly and what is not. While we often hear of not doing things in front of my brother, so as not to hurt his faith, we see one very important aspect of the Principle of Love which is often overlooked; judgment. When we look at this idea of causing my brother to stumble it is directed at, purposely toward, authority and how it disciplines. If I cause someone to stumble, then I tear him down and do not build him up, I will be judged by such. If Christ dwells in my brother, who do I tear down? and if the Church is my brother and sisters and I tear down these, what do I tear down?
One can discipline a child in the wrong way as Paul writes, causing bitterness and provoking him to wrath. The Pharisees demanded absolute obedience, if not you were stoned, and they implemented many rules and regulations, for what purpose? to control the people. These neglect justice, mercy, and faith. This was the battle Paul writes of in the early Church, those of the "circumcision party" who wanted to introduce such doctrines in the Church. As Paul writes they are not from men, but are doctrines of demons. These spy out your Liberty, constantly observing you.
The devil attacked Jesus with the scriptures, and this is what he does today in the Church, half-truths, or as Paul experienced from those of the "circumcision party" through old covenant teachings which neglect the Truth, Christ. Theology built on half-truths is dangerous, it builds upon scripture with a biased perspective, not looking at the whole truth. As the scientific method attempts to gather data unbiased, so do those who seek the truth.
"Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”12
Wisdom is justified by her deeds, a fig tree produces figs. "What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?"9 "He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress." He played and sang for them but they did not care. They paid no attention to His deeds nor do they consider the work of His hands. "Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge."
Broken Vessels
This principle of Liberty Christ proclaimed, “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,"2 Let us look more at the principle of Liberty.
"A high principle of the Kingdom of God is that truth manifests itself in light. Such speaks to non-aggression and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Now, it also speaks to Liberty and bravery, not having a spirit of timidity, but girding oneself in truth, standing for truth. Truth fights against inequality. At the feet of the Statue of Liberty lie broken shackles of oppression and tyranny.7"3The Statue of Liberty holds a declaration of truth in one hand, and a light in the other. Our founding forefathers were escaping the tyranny of government and religion, both claiming to have authority of God. They separated the church from the state and created a government that was not absolute in authority, having an executive, judicial, and legislative branch that are accountable to each other and to the people. Our early churches resembled such a government; with its pastors, elders, and deacons, comes accountability and its town hall meetings allowing truth to be placed on a lamp-stand, to be voiced by its people.
"So speak and so act as by the principle of liberty, as if to be judged by."7
We are to be under this principle of liberty in the Church but what is it? we see a hint here in that we will be judged by it. Judgment is a key element of this principle, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."8 We are released from the Law and as Paul writes all things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. In this liberty what is beneficial is the consideration of building up of my brother in faith. I will be judged by what I do, especially how I judge another. At work in this principle of Liberty is the Principle of Love, that I will not use my Liberty to cause my brother to stumble.
"My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me."9
Like the purpose of Grace, in order that we fulfill the requirements of God in the Spirit, Liberty also has a purpose, that we are not under judgment, fear and condemnation, but we are being perfected in love. In such we are allowing Truth to transform us to the image of Christ. Liberty is not determined by the conscience of another but by the Lord, "For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?"10 And also who am I to judge a servant of Christ?11 But I bear my own load, not comparing myself to my brother, but to fulfill the principle of Christ, willingly, in gentleness, lifting his burden.
"and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like, but the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."8
Truth is our judge. I am judged when I look into truth, not a hearer only. Under the law of liberty I know truth is for my good. If I am under fear and condemnation how can I allow correction? Those who persevere are those who are doers of the word. Persistence is a great quality in the Bible, we see the persistent widow before unjust authority, even an unjust judge rewards justice by such persistence. Persistence produces character, thus a Church that doesn't allow such growth in Liberty inadvertently are purposely is not producing persistence thus men of character.
Authority that would say you have only two choices, submit or leave neglects this idea of proclaiming truth. The early Church was bold to proclaim the truth of the gospel. Matthew 18 gives a process of meditation, which is bringing the truth before others, for accountability. Steven stood up to authority, which had denied the truth, I must too be bold to stand for truth, in the correct way, though Steven was stoned he did not attack them, nor throw rocks at them, nor kill their donkeys, no, he proclaimed truth to them. Darkness doesn't like the Light, and it doesn't like Liberty.
"So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way."8
The purpose of godly discipline is to build up, or the edification of my brother, who is the Church. We make this great distinction as to know what is godly and what is not. While we often hear of not doing things in front of my brother, so as not to hurt his faith, we see one very important aspect of the Principle of Love which is often overlooked; judgment. When we look at this idea of causing my brother to stumble it is directed at, purposely toward, authority and how it disciplines. If I cause someone to stumble, then I tear him down and do not build him up, I will be judged by such. If Christ dwells in my brother, who do I tear down? and if the Church is my brother and sisters and I tear down these, what do I tear down?
One can discipline a child in the wrong way as Paul writes, causing bitterness and provoking him to wrath. The Pharisees demanded absolute obedience, if not you were stoned, and they implemented many rules and regulations, for what purpose? to control the people. These neglect justice, mercy, and faith. This was the battle Paul writes of in the early Church, those of the "circumcision party" who wanted to introduce such doctrines in the Church. As Paul writes they are not from men, but are doctrines of demons. These spy out your Liberty, constantly observing you.
The devil attacked Jesus with the scriptures, and this is what he does today in the Church, half-truths, or as Paul experienced from those of the "circumcision party" through old covenant teachings which neglect the Truth, Christ. Theology built on half-truths is dangerous, it builds upon scripture with a biased perspective, not looking at the whole truth. As the scientific method attempts to gather data unbiased, so do those who seek the truth.
"Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”12
Wisdom is justified by her deeds, a fig tree produces figs. "What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?"9 "He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress." He played and sang for them but they did not care. They paid no attention to His deeds nor do they consider the work of His hands. "Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge."
Broken Vessels