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True Freedom (Psalm 119:45)

And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.
Psalm 119:45

Liberty can be defined as a broad and spacious land. W.S. Plummer describes the liberty the believer has in this way: “Sin is slavery. Vice is bondage. Corruption loads us with fetters. Divine grace brings us out of prison, knocks off our chains, and sets us at large. The faculties of mind and heart and body never in so high a sense enjoy liberty as when renewed by God’s Spirit.”1

When we are unredeemed, we live in bondage to sin. Our freedom in this life is governed by a nature that is consumed with self. Our sin is so blinding that we cannot even pursue the help that we need. Left to ourselves, we would continue to live a life of slavery to that which will one day destroy us.

When we come to be reconciled to God through Christ we find forgiveness for our sin – past, present and future. While we still struggle with sin, we are no longer in bondage to sin. We have now come to understand and experience the great love of God. We are at liberty in ways we have never understood. It is not a liberty that says “sin as you will, you are forgiven!” No, it is a liberty that allows us to please God. This desire is brought to life when we respond to God’s love.

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.
Galatians 5:13

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36

The psalmist appropriately links the truths of God’s word to the freedom God’s children enjoy. Being a Christian is not living in some kind of oppressive obedience. Our Lord expresses it perfectly when he states:

“… If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8:31b–32

True freedom is not independence. It is dependence on God and the truth of His word!

 

1 Geneva Series of Commentaries, Psalms, The Banner of Truth Trust, p. 1040

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Rocky Wyatt

Rocky Wyatt came to know the Lord as a young teenager and began working in youth ministry when in college. After serving in churches in Utah, California and Colorado, Rocky moved to Texas to serve as Youth Pastor at Countryside Bible Church. He served there for 26 years where he eventually moved from youth ministry to serve as an Associate Pastor.

Over the course of his ministry, Rocky has always had a desire to train men for pastoral ministry in the context of the local church. In 1992 he started XL Ministries, an organization that is committed to helping churches establish intensive internships for pastoral training. In 2020 he left his position at Countryside Bible Church to become the Executive Director of XL Ministries and now works full time assisting churches in training men for ministry.

He is co-author of The Youth Ministry Training Manual, a textbook for training youth pastors, and has also written multiple other resources for use in various local church ministries. He is currently working on a book to encourage churches to take the primary responsibility to train pastors.

Rocky is married to Pamela, has two sons and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58