Liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17. “Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”
The LAW has its demands that are undeniable, unattainable, unreachable, and uncompromising. It kills me because I am an imperfect, impulsive, and impatient man who is incapable of meeting the demand of its perfection. It condemns me, awakens me, challenges me, enlightens me, teaches me, and instructs me by showing me what I really am in God’s sight. The light of the law shows up my darkness: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.”
On the other hand, GRACE has its demands. I must admit my lack of attainment, give up my independence, stop trying to earn what is impossible to earn and accept with humility what God gives. In faith, I reach out an empty hand to grasp what cost God so much and acknowledge with thanks, the gifts that grace gives, asking nothing in return. Grace is carefully balanced by God. “The law came by Moses. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Liberty came to me, at a high cost to others who paid a big price to proclaim the Gospel and pass it on through many generations until it came to me. I am able to live in freedom because of what was paid for by a band of brothers and sisters who lived and died with faith in God. Living fathers and mothers also have paid the price of freedom for me through their teaching and example of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The darkness that covered the face of the “earth” in which I live, was lifted when Christ paid sin’s price with His death. Life has been given, starting with the new birth and I know Jesus paid the price of freedom for me.
Now I’m a Christian and the Holy Spirit is within having sealed me unto the day of redemption. I grieve Him and quench Him sometimes by giving place to sin. So, He too, pays the price for the blessings He brings when He “groans” on my behalf before the thrice holy God. The Holy Spirit pays the price of freedom for me. The load is gone and I am free from its weight because the Lord Jesus Christ bore that in my place. The darkness is gone and now I can see that the Father, Son, and Spirit have brought full liberty. Thank God, by His grace, I am free!
Dullness of mind comes as a result of following the god of this age instead of the God of eternity who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When the evil dullness of mind is removed, we can then understand the path of righteousness and salvation we follow through walking in the light with our Lord Jesus. He fulfilled the law and brought into effect the new covenant of grace. When we come to know Him personally, we are transformed and our faith is in Him. We become a habitation of God through the Spirit. We become more like Christ as we mature in Him and grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.