Epistle 362
The sermon emphasizes the importance of standing fast in the liberty of the sons of God, using it in love, and being careful not to misuse it.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the liberty granted by Christ, urging believers to use their freedom not for selfish desires but to serve one another in love. He warns against the dangers of false liberty that leads to corruption and encourages the faithful to be vigilant against those who would seek to undermine their freedom in Christ. Fox highlights the apostolic teachings that call for a careful and responsible exercise of this liberty, ensuring it does not become a stumbling block for others. Ultimately, he calls for a life lived in the heavenly order of Christ, filled with His spirit and power, for the glory of God.
Text
And now, friends, you who are called into this glorious liberty of the sons of God [Rom 8:21], stand fast in it [Gal 5:1]. And as the apostle saith, 'Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use it not for an occasion to the flesh; but in love serve one another [Gal 5:13].' Gal. v. 13.
'As free, not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God [1 Pet 2:16].' 1 Pet. ii.
For there were some, who while they promised themselves liberty, they themselves were servants of corruption [2 Pet 2:19]. Such were like the dog and the sow, biting, and rending, and vomiting, and wallowing in the mire [2 Pet 2:22/Mat 7:6]; and as bad as the synagogue of the libertines that turned against Stephen [Acts 6:9]. 2 Pet. ii. and Acts vi. 9.
And therefore the apostle was careful of the churches' liberty in Christ, when he said, 'But take heed, lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak [1 Cor 8:9],' &c. 1 Cor. viii.
For the apostle was so careful and tender, that he would not have his true liberty judged of another man's conscience [1 Cor 10:29], &c. as you may see more at large in Cor. x.
And the apostle said, 'False brethren came unawares privily, to spy out their liberty, which they had in Christ Jesus, that they might bring them into bondage; to whom we gave place by subjection, no not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you [Gal 2:4f],' to wit, the Galatians. Gal. ii. 4.
And therefore he exhorts them to stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ Jesus hath made them free [Gal 5:1], &c. which is the duty of all true christians now, to stand fast in that heavenly glorious liberty, which Christ the heavenly and spiritual man, the second Adam [1 Cor 15:47], makes them free in; and in this they will have salt in themselves [Mark 9:50], to discern between the true liberty and freedom and the false, and know how to use their holy and spiritual liberty and freedom in Christ Jesus, to the praise and glory of God. <188>
So, friends, the Lord God Almighty preserve you all, in the heavenly order of Christ Jesus, in his holy seed, life, power, and spirit, that all may live and walk in it, to the praise, and glory, and honour of God and Christ. Amen.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Liberty of the Sons of God
- A. Called into glorious liberty
- B. Stand fast in it
- C. Use it in love, serving one another
- II. The Dangers of Misusing Liberty
- A. Using liberty for maliciousness
- B. Being servants of corruption
- C. Causing others to stumble
- III. The Apostle's Care for Liberty
- A. Cautioning against stumbling blocks
- B. Not judging liberty by another's conscience
- IV. Standing Fast in Liberty
- A. Exhortation to stand fast
- B. Using holy and spiritual liberty
Key Quotes
“'Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use it not for an occasion to the flesh; but in love serve one another [Gal 5:13].'” — George Fox
“'As free, not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God [1 Pet 2:16].'” — George Fox
“'But take heed, lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak [1 Cor 8:9],' &c.” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must use our liberty in love, serving one another and not for maliciousness.
- We must be careful not to cause others to stumble with our liberty.
- We must stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ Jesus hath made us free.