“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Throughout the alleged Covid-19 pandemic, human governments determined, on their own authority, which goods and services were essential and which freedoms people were entitled to. After two solid years of lock-downs, restrictions, fines, and mandates, it has become clear that fallen man simply cannot govern himself. Ignoring God’s wise counsel, government leaders and their non-elected officials have caused far more devastation than the virus alone could have ever done. This is the “wisdom” of fallen man. In order to solve social problems, atheistic human reason tends toward larger governments with more government involvement in the lives of its citizens (1 Samuel 8:10-18). As government power and influence increase, invariably there is a decrease in individual freedoms and responsibilities. Even the freedom to think and ask critical questions can be quickly eroded. Where unregenerate government officials endorse the suppression of their people as the chosen method of solving perceived social problems, the Bible offers a completely different perspective and a very different solution. In God’s economy, freedom is essential. God revealed Himself to His covenant people, in power and with great authority, as their deliverer from bitter bondage in Egypt. “I am the LORD thy God,” said the Lord to His people, “which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6). God is love (1 John 4:8), making love the greatest of ethics (1 Corinthians 13:1-8). The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These lofty ideals, however, are unattainable to fallen, unregenerate men. Among God’s image-bearers in this dispensation, genuine freedom must exist as a necessary condition for love. Since fallen man’s mind and heart are in bondage to sin (John 8:34; Proverbs 5:22) and the fear of death (Romans 8:15; Hebrews 2:15), he simply cannot love as he ought to. We praise God that He has sent His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, the anti-type to Moses the great deliverer and law-giver, into the world to redeem and restore the minds and hearts of men and to truly make them free (Luke 4:18-19; John 8:32-36). Where corrupt governments restrict freedom and promote unquestioning submission and dependence, Christ sets men free, encourages men to exercise discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to carry out their personal responsibilities (Galatians 6:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Let us remember that no matter how depraved our world becomes, as God’s freedmen we have been given the strength and spiritual resources to respond after a godly manner. May we do so consistently, for God’s glory and for the good of our earthly nation.
God bless you,
Pastor John
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