"Freedom! Give me freedom!" is the daily, constant expression of restless mortals pressing on to gain a something which they feel is for them, and which they must have, without restriction of their claim to obtain and use it. From those yet unborn into the fuller "knowledge of the Truth as it is in Jesus," as well as from those taught in Divine or Christian Science, comes too, in varying forms of intensity, the cry: "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the bonds of this death?" To-day also, thousands are able to say: "Whereas I was sick and in bonds, now I am whole and free. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. There is perfect freedom from the bonds in which death (to the realization of God as the only life) has placed us."
In reality there is no bond but the bond of Love, and this binds us to Christ alone. So long as there is one in the universe, ignorant of the freedom that belongs to him because of his Sonship to God, Love will draw that one, until he shall know himself as he is, ever was, and ever will be—free. "We are free creatures in Christ Jesus"; though mankind is at present unconscious of the fact. But the desire for help, for freedom from man-made laws, creeds and dogmas, is daily growing. The grandest sign of the times is this unrest, for it heralds the universal sway of Truth. Christ, Truth, will continue to stand at the door and knock, until man bids Him enter. When men become restless under "the bonds of this death," then He opens up a way of deliverance. The feeblest cry is heard and heeded by the listening ear of Love. We therefore, have come on only just a little ahead of the myriad throng that presses close upon us. Those taught in schools of theology, occupying pulpit and platform, not conscious of the spirit of Christ which pervades the atmosphere; even these are conscious that the world is drinking in the gospel —and thirsting for deeper and purer draughts.
"Being then made free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness." What a change! "If we will, we may become no longer servants of Sin (Satan) but servants of "the Most High "; because God, who knoweth all things, hath read our heart (thought) which said: "From Sin I would get free."
When his friends lowered the sick man into the presence of Jesus, they were doubtless surprised to hear the words: "Son be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee." Perhaps the thought uppermost in the young man's mind just then was freedom from the claim of disease. Do we not know all too well how man struggles to get free from these bonds of ignorance; to hear never more the jarring words "I am sick "; but instead, the "Go in peace, thy faith hath made thee whole." Yet, there may have been in his mind a longing for Spiritual as well as bodily health; and Jesus, divining this, answered the thought in the words, "Thy sins be forgiven thee." Again: It may have been one of those cases where sickness is the direct result of sin, and the spiritual healing had to take place before the body could express health.
"With God all things are possible"; with Him it is one and the self-same thing to say: "Thy sins be forgiven thee," or "Arise, take up thy bed and walk." One fallen unawares into error, or one ignorant of the law of Love, and therefore carrying about a sick body, may be emancipated by the word of God, and exclaim: "Praise God, we are free." God is no respecter of persons or diseases. He is Love, and Love thinketh no evil; so, if there be one to-day sitting within the shadow because not quite sure there is full and free salvation for him, to that one Christian Science says: "Come." "Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Does not the invitation express enough of welcome?
Did we ask "why free?" "The Law of the spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." "For brethren we have been called unto liberty." "In the beginning," "God created man in His own image"; and "that which hath been is now, and that which is to be, hath already been." God being Spirit, man, His image and likeness, must be Spiritual; "And as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God "; "and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ." "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." Such heirship entitles us to freedom. Who will not gladly claim the royal lineage, the favor and benediction of King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,"—an eternal home in the presence of God?
