Article July 18, 1914 Issue

Liberty

JUDGE SEPTIMUS J. HANNA

The fifth chapter of Galatians is among the most instructive of St. Paul's teachings. It contains many golden nuggets of spiritual truth, and it begins with this strong admonition: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

We should especially note the tense employed. Paul does not say, Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ will or may make us free, but rather "hath" made us free. The difference is vital. Paul makes an all-important distinction which has been too much lost sight of in Scriptural exegesis. He knew that spiritual man, being in the image and likeness of God, is free-born, and by virtue of his birthright cannot be enslaved, for there is no power to destroy the spiritual man's liberty. Sufficiently armed with this knowledge, men win the victory and assert their freedom from the bondage of the material senses. The old habit of expecting freedom as a future gift, or hoping it may come our way if it be God's will, should therefore give place to the certain knowledge that we have been free from the beginning. Until we have undergone this change of consciousness we are still more or less in slavery to false belief, and cannot do our best work either for ourselves or for others.

On page 227 of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "God made man free. ... Christian Science raises the standard of liberty and cries: 'Follow me! Escape from the bondage of sickness, sin, and death!' Jesus marked out the way. Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being." This clarion note sounds the whole truth of being. It tells the story of liberty, past, present, and future. It is our declaration of independence duly signed, sealed, and delivered, for it bears the signet of eternal Truth. This same chapter of Galatians also contains that potent religio-philosophical affirmation which is always helpful and encouraging to the struggling disciple, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Often in times of stress this comforting message comes to our aid. Paul makes plain the leavening process: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Loving service, then, is the seed of liberty, the leavening process.

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