Morning, November 25
Go To Evening Reading
“To preach deliverance to the captives.”
Luke 4:18
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 honour 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. Thou goest 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 forever. 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 acquitteth, who is he that condemneth?
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?”