If Thou Mayest, Be Free!
Bill Fortenberry
This advice from the Apostle
Paul is just as relevant to Christians during this election cycle as it was to
the Corinthian believers of the first century.
Many of the early Christians were slaves. Some were fortunate enough to have believing
masters while many others found themselves bound to men who despised the
Christian faith. I Corinthians 7:21 was
written specifically for these new believers.
It states:
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
In this simple, straight forward verse and those which follow it, Paul presented the new Corinthian converts with a two-fold plan for dealing with slavery. First, he taught them that they should not be worried or depressed if they happen to be in a position of servitude. He explained that though a Christian may be in physical bondage to a human master, yet through Christ, he is possessor of a freedom of spirit that transcends all physical limitations. This knowledge must have been a great encouragement to the Corinthian believers just as it has proven to be in the lives of the countless Christians who have been persecuted and tormented for their faith from that time even unto this present day. The day will probably come when this portion of Paul’s instruction will have to be applied by Christians living in America, but that day is not here – not yet anyway, and not for many years to come if we successfully follow the second part of Paul’s plan.
While in the first half of this verse, Paul encouraged believers not to worry about slavery and oppression, he also chose to conclude the verse with a decided preference for freedom. Here we find a simple statement that every opportunity for increased freedom for Christians should be taken. Christians are not to worry and fret about the oppression of their ideals, but if they have an opportunity to increase their freedom, they are clearly commanded to make use of that opportunity rather than remaining oppressed.
This has tremendous application to the upcoming elections. In the past two years, we have witnessed the liberal democrats reveal their true plans for our nation. Their desire for the slavery of socialism has been laid bare before our eyes, and while we know that no power on earth is capable of suppressing the truth of God’s Word, yet we must also recognize our clear mandate to actively pursue every increase in our freedom to share that truth. This Election Day represents just such an opportunity.
As you go to the polls on Tuesday, keep in mind that you are not just voting for one candidate or one party over another. You are voting for freedom over tyranny. As your eyes wander across the names on the ballot, do not cast your vote for those who have promised you the most money nor for those who will bring retribution to your enemies. You should vote instead for those men and women whose policies will lead our nation into an era of ever increasing freedom. We have before us a chance to remain free. Let us use it to the fullest.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
In this simple, straight forward verse and those which follow it, Paul presented the new Corinthian converts with a two-fold plan for dealing with slavery. First, he taught them that they should not be worried or depressed if they happen to be in a position of servitude. He explained that though a Christian may be in physical bondage to a human master, yet through Christ, he is possessor of a freedom of spirit that transcends all physical limitations. This knowledge must have been a great encouragement to the Corinthian believers just as it has proven to be in the lives of the countless Christians who have been persecuted and tormented for their faith from that time even unto this present day. The day will probably come when this portion of Paul’s instruction will have to be applied by Christians living in America, but that day is not here – not yet anyway, and not for many years to come if we successfully follow the second part of Paul’s plan.
While in the first half of this verse, Paul encouraged believers not to worry about slavery and oppression, he also chose to conclude the verse with a decided preference for freedom. Here we find a simple statement that every opportunity for increased freedom for Christians should be taken. Christians are not to worry and fret about the oppression of their ideals, but if they have an opportunity to increase their freedom, they are clearly commanded to make use of that opportunity rather than remaining oppressed.
This has tremendous application to the upcoming elections. In the past two years, we have witnessed the liberal democrats reveal their true plans for our nation. Their desire for the slavery of socialism has been laid bare before our eyes, and while we know that no power on earth is capable of suppressing the truth of God’s Word, yet we must also recognize our clear mandate to actively pursue every increase in our freedom to share that truth. This Election Day represents just such an opportunity.
As you go to the polls on Tuesday, keep in mind that you are not just voting for one candidate or one party over another. You are voting for freedom over tyranny. As your eyes wander across the names on the ballot, do not cast your vote for those who have promised you the most money nor for those who will bring retribution to your enemies. You should vote instead for those men and women whose policies will lead our nation into an era of ever increasing freedom. We have before us a chance to remain free. Let us use it to the fullest.