None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real
liberty cometh from Him only. It is a liberty righteously
bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a
right to make men free. The saints honor the justice of
God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty
which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by
His power, but He bought it by His blood. He makes
thee free, but it is by His own bonds. You go clear,
because He bare thy burden for thee: thou art set at
liberty, because He has suffered in thy stead. But,
though dearly purchased, He freely gives it. Jesus
asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He
finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us
put on the beautiful array of freedom; He saves us just
as we are, and all without our help or merit. When
Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no
chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me,
"Captive, I have delivered thee" and it is done for
ever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be
on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its
temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is
He who is for us than all they who be against us. The
machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass
and annoy us, but He who hath begun the good work
in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes
of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts
together, and come with concentrated fury against us,
but if God acquitted, who is he that condemned? Not
more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky
eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the
soul which Christ hath delivered. If we are no more
under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be
practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude
and delight. "I am Thy servant, and the son of thine
handmaid: Thou hast loosed my bonds." Lord, what
wilt Thou have me to do?
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