Free-Born
True believers are free from the law and live in the liberty of Christ, empowered by their new nature.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the believer's freedom from the law through death on the Cross, emphasizing that the Law does not give life but rather governs life. He highlights the believer's union with Jesus, who is full of grace and truth, and how God's commands are in accordance with the new nature received through Christ. Stanford explains that God's commands are not meant to be fulfilled in human strength but to lead believers to rely on Him for strength and guidance, rejecting legalism and emphasizing the liberty found in Christ.
Text
"For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God " (Galatians 2:19, ASV).
No true believer expects the Law to give life, yet many expect it to govern life. Too few realize that their death on the Cross separated them from the entire principle of law, and that their resurrection united them to the Lord Jesus, "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
"All of the Lord's commands to me are according to the new nature I already have. He is my life, and all His words are the expression of that life. Therefore when His words are given to me, they only give me the authority to do what my new nature likes to do. 'A new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you" (1 John 2:8). -J.N.D.
"Does our Father mock us by bidding us do what He knows we are unable to do? No! He gives commands we cannot perform in our strength, that we may know what we ought to request from Him." "Legalism is an effort to shape oneself to given laws or rules. Seeking to urge oneself into conformity to law, the old man is before the eye, and satisfaction is felt according as there is conformity to a given standard.
"The moment legality is sanctioned, it must be with reference to that which needs to be made subject. This is not Christian, because as believers we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, against which there is no law."
"Stand fast, fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage " (Galatians 5:1).
Sermon Outline
- The Law and True Believers
- The New Nature and God's Commands
- Christianity vs. Legalism
- Freedom in Christ
- Stand fast in the liberty of Christ
- Avoid the yoke of bondage
- Resurrection unites believers to the Lord Jesus
Key Quotes
“For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.” — Miles J. Stanford
“All of the Lord's commands to me are according to the new nature I already have.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Stand fast, fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Recognize that your death on the Cross separates you from the principle of law and unites you to the Lord Jesus.
- Understand that God's commands are according to your new nature, giving you authority to do what is pleasing to Him.
- Stand fast in the liberty of Christ, avoiding the yoke of bondage and living in the freedom He provides.