Give me Liberty or Give me Death
- Jul 17
- 9 min read
We have all heard the phrase, "Give me liberty or give me death." This phrase originated from Patrick Henry who believed in the nation fighting for its independence from Britain. Henry knew that a life lived in bondage was not a life worth living. This sentiment echoed amongst the hearts of the soldiers standing alongside Him -- they, too, wanting freedom and being willing to shed their blood for that particular freedom.
Jesus Christ also offers a particular freedom. We all know that Christ's offer of freedom has been used casually and nonchalantly in the seductive allure of many of today's alleged believers. However, at what cost? If we take a genuine look at this liberty and the fruits acquired upon its acquisition, we will see that not many people who profess or claim to have found it are indeed benefactors of this particular freedom.
15 “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16 By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets]. Matthew 7:15-20 AMP
Jesus advised His potential followers to not just look at the miracles or His peace that surpassed all understanding, but to also consider the cost that it would take to actually obtain these things.
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. 28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it? Luke 14:27-28 AMP
I don't think anyone would say that they desire to live in bondage or captivity but how many would say that they would rather die than to live without possessing true freedom? The founding fathers of America and the pillars of faith within God's church have one thing in common: the belief that true freedom was worth fighting for and ultimately, if need be, dying for.
Contrary to popular belief, true freedom does not come from religious observance once a week. People came from all over to hear the life-changing words of Jesus. However, their dedication to the journey or the fact that they sat all day hearing the words and direction towards salvation did not grant them salvation itself.
13 This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because [d]having the power of seeing, they do not see; and [e]having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand. 14 In them indeed is [f]the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive. 15 For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them. Matthew 13:13-15 AMPC
Freedom does not come from man's desperate attempt to conjugate the presence of God with the addition of rules and regulations. The very profession of our faith stems from the death of our beloved Savior. How, then, can we proceed with the notion that death is not the byproduct of the salvation that Jesus offers? The journey of the cross begins with Jesus' death and concludes with our own.
23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. Luke 9:23 AMPC
In Philippians, Paul reflects on this freedom that he has been privileged to partake in, acknowledging that it has cost him everything he once cherished. Much similar to the disciples and other faithful men and women who preceded him, his freedom came at the expense of all he held dear -- including his wealth, status, and esteemed reputation as a chief Pharisee.
8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, Philippians 3:8 AMP
Saul had religion. He had structure and worldly stability. He had security and a life that was understood by his peers. However, Paul had Jesus.
4 though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: 5 circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless. Phillipians 3:4-6 AMP
Much like the parable of the hidden treasure, one will surely sell all he has for that one, precious Savior. What if Jesus is on the other side of our weekly religious observances, what if he is on the other side of our perfected religious perceptions? For the men and women of faith in the Bible, this was true. Are we willing to miss out on being understood so that we can truly understand the God we are seeking to serve?
39 [a]You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; 40 and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory and approval from men; 42 but I know you and recognize that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. John 5:39-42 AMP
We love the idea of a cheap salvation. A salvation that comes with everything but doesn't cost anything. However, that wasn't the salvation that was offered to the rich young ruler. He had religious observances; from his pedigree, one could assume that he was well-versed in the Levitical law. Notwithstanding his religious credentials, Jesus insisted that there was one thing between him and true salvation: the forsaking of everything he had.
At first glance, out of our flesh, one might make the argument, "I am nothing like Him; God isn't saying this to me." However, before we allow our flesh to deter us from this radical possibility, we must first continue reading, and we will see that this call was not merely based on the man's wealth. This was the exact same call that Jesus offered to every person that wished to follow Him.
25 Now large crowds were going along with Jesus; and He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not [c]hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple.27 Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:25-27 AMP
33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] [d]give up all his own possessions. 34 “Therefore, salt is good; but if salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” Luke 14:33-35 AMP
Later in the passage, we see that Peter and the other disciples adhered to this command, and were promised much more than what they surrendered, including eternal life. This was not an insane command. Jesus wanted to know if His followers truly loved Him above all else.
27 Then Peter answered Him, saying, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord]; what then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal [that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you [who have followed Me, becoming My disciples] will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [d]or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first. Luke 14:27-30 AMP
Much like us today, Jesus was not asking for lip service. He didn't imagine one day a week where people would gather. He envisioned a day when a decision would be made, and our plans would completely change for the rest of that week and our entire lives. This is the same call that every person who is married has answered. When a person recites their marriage vows, we view this not as a negative act but as a declaration that, come hell or high waters, their love and commitment for their spouse will remain steadfast.
Jesus didn't have a natural wife, but He is the spiritual husband of the church.
6 Then I heard something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying,“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all] reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory andhonor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last] and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself.” 8 She has been permitted to dress in fine linen, dazzling white and clean—for the fine linen signifies the righteous acts of the saints [the ethical conduct, personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character of believers]. 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write, ‘[d]Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the [e]Lamb.’” And he said to me [further], “These are the true and exact words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he [stopped me and] said to me, “You must not do that; I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who have and hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God [alone]. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy].” Revelation 19:6-9 AMP
The command Jesus made to the rich young ruler wasn't a consequence or a penalty; it was made so that he could truly be found and known by Him, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. We often look at this passage as though Jesus was punishing him by telling him to get rid of everything he had; however, it was out of His love for him that Jesus says, don't allow anything to come in between us.
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” 17 Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. 20 The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” 22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God]. Matthew 19:16-22 AMP
The truth is that if your freedom hasn't come with sacrifice—the death of personal pursuits, personal desires, even perhaps the death of worldly relationships and distractions—it is not true freedom. Serving God in a way that doesn't include the denying of ourselves only leads to furthering the delusion of our alleged faith. This also carries the same penalty as not serving God at all.
Question of the day: Will you die to self today so that you can live forever?
