Personal Freedom

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2
Corinthians 3:17
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23
I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of
men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was
capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free
and moral agent.. – Thomas Jefferson Letter To Francis Hopkinson, Paris Mar. 13,
1789i
"Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the world
with a right to his own person, which includes the liberty of moving and using it at
his own will. This is what is called personal liberty, and is given him by the Author
of nature, because necessary for his own sustenance." --Thomas Jefferson: Legal
Argument, 1770.
"What is true of every member of the society, individually, is true of them all
collectively; since the rights of the whole can be no more than the sum of the rights
of the individuals." --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1789.
In my opinion there has been no one who has advocated personal freedom in world like
Thomas Jefferson about whom Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia states :
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826), third president of the United States (1801-
1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the most
brilliant men in history. His interests were boundless, and his accomplishments
were great and varied. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician,
scientist, architect, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, and writer, and
he was the foremost spokesman for democracy of his day.
Thomas Jefferson lived and fought for personal freedom and rights of each individual
and so should we. Although Jesus Christ has made believers kings and priests to His God
and Father, (Revelations 1:6, 5:10) many including leadership in the house of God have a
demonic inspired idea that they were called to rule over the sheep. But we have no king or
priest over us except Jesus Christ the LORD. He is our only LORD, King and Priest.
Unfortunately down through the years we have run into many pastors who had a hidden
agenda of taking care for number one and didn‘t have the best interests of the sheep.
Rather than being a servant like Jesus and laying down their lives for the sheep they actual
took the lives of the sheep especially their hard earned money and talents and spent it all
on themselves and their families.
Most of these kinds of pastors were very good talkers, knew more about the bible than their
sheep, were friends of other pastors who did the same thing that they did and would not
disclose their salaries and those of their family members. They believed they were only
accountable to God and no other even though their money didn‘t come from God but from
the sheep! As a result I don‘t trust most pastors be they on TV or in a local church! God‘s
word is unchanging:
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among
them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which
he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he
himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them
out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who
does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good
testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you
know that our testimony is true. 3 John 1:9-12
Spiritual abuse is very common in churches in North America and British Isles by those
whose spiritual authority doesn‘t come from God but is their own invention. Due to
insecurity the leader uses his religious position to control or dominate another person and
uses negative words and actions to bring about submission both doctrinal and physical.
Many leaders spend a lot of time focusing on their own authority and reminding others of it
because they cannot demonstrate authority, spiritual power, and credibility by their lives
and message. They believe that the members are there to meet the needs of the leader and
not the reverse! It‘s very stupid to simply receive and act upon a spiritual directive because
you are ‗supposed to be submissive‘, or because someone is ‗in authority.‘ God alone is our
Lord and to Him we give account and not to a mortal men who are here today and gone
tomorrow. The clergy was not created to rule over the laity.
Any leadership that advocates a particular doctrine or view point to remain in good standing
with the particular religious group is dangerous to our spiritual health and physical sanity.
And when they restore to ‗scare tactics‘ or intimidation of any sort such as ― The Lord told
me things about you‖ or ―God will curse you if you leave our group‖ they are deceived ones
deceiving others. Any group that practices publicly shaming, exposing, or threatening to
remove people from the group is already defeated and is part of Satan‘s army. Mind you I
have known people who have ‗removed‘ for asking too many questions, for disobeying the
unspoken rules, or for disagreeing with authority. Yes, people are made public examples in
order to send a message to those who remain. But God‘s word is unchanging:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and
instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. Proverbs
10:21
In Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Park Bible Church was a very rich and large church of 1,000
members in a beautiful expense structure situated on the hill overlooking the city that could
be seen by everybody. It was composed of bible-believing Christians who loved the Lord
and were active in witnessing and helping their community. But the Pastor became abusive
and totalitarian. Deacons and many others members were asked to leave when they
confronted the pastor about his specific idiosyncrasies. As a result, many people were
deeply hurt; the church membership went down to 300 and the pastor moved back to the
States.
In January 2004, the churches in the area were asked to meet and pray at Park Bible
Church for reconciliation and healing as many people were scared and disillusioned in the
church. The sad part was that it was one of the richest churches in the community with very
educated and rich members in it and still it was not exempt from the abuses of a benevolent
dictator, the senior pastor. The tragedy is that many abusive pastors don‘t see that they are
abusive even though the ―Policy Manual of Carpenter‘s Home Church, Lakeland, Florida,‖
written by the senior pastor stated:
A congregation must be a planting of the Lord not a secular military base with a
benevolent dictator. All Contact with the Public or with employees must reflect the
philosophy of the administrator or the Senior Pastor, as he understands the
character of Jesus‖ (Page 15, Summary)
Just because a pastor is well educated (Bob Jones University) and well versed in scriptures
like Senior Pastor Karl Strader, who personally picked and fired his board of directors at will,
was, doesn‘t mean he wasn‘t abusive or dictatorial. (Mind you the CHC which once had
around five thousand members and was built for ten thousand now doesn't belong any more
to Karl Strader.)
The religious and political leaders of Jesus day were quite educated but Jesus still called
them fools and blind ones (Matthew 23:17,19). In other words just because a man is
educated doesn‘t mean he is not a fool especially if he doesn‘t acknowledge that ―The fear
of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.‖
The religious and political leaders of Jesus day were quite educated but Jesus still called
them fools and blind ones (Matthew 23:17,19). In other words just because a man is
educated doesn‘t mean he is not a fool especially if he doesn‘t acknowledge that ―The fear
of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.‖
Unfortunately for them even many of God‘s people are fools because they despise
wisdom and instruction from others. They feel their special position as pastor, preacher,
church leader, choir member or church usher has made above reproach and they are
accountable to no one but God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put his finger on one of the greatest
dangers to the modern society including the church.
Every personality cult that is concerned with important qualities, outstanding
abilities, strengths, and the talents of someone else—even though these may be
thoroughly spiritual in nature—is worldly and has no place in the Christian
community. Indeed, it poisons that community. The demand one hears so often
today for . . . ―powerful personalities‖ springs too often from the spiritually sick
need for the admiration of people, for the erection of visible structures of human
authority, because the genuine authority of service seems too unimportant (Life
Together, p. 108).
The Word of God encourages us to have the attitude in ourselves Christ Jesus had
including that nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
we are each to esteem others better than ourselves. And we are to look out not only for our
own interests, but also for the interests of others. God‘s word is unchanging:
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-
minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in
 Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal
with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11
Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD. Proverbs
29:26
Jesus wasn't predictable. He didn't ask His disciples to sacrifice their wages to build a
bigger house for Himself, nor did He merely talk a good line. He healed blind eyes and
withered limbs, and raised the dead. He walked on water and calmed stormy seas. Over and
over, in so many ways, He showed Himself worthy of a following--not just by talking about
faith and self-sacrifice and the endtimes, but by the miracles He did. He proved He was
God's sacrifice for our sins when, after voluntarily allowing Himself to be nailed to an
executioner's cross, He rose bodily from the dead to show that He was King of kings and
Lord of lords. As part of His legacy, He left a band of disciples who were willing to live and
die for their testimony that together they had seen Him alive after His resurrection.
Together they bore witness to One whose teaching and example has become the measure
of those who are dangerous and those who are not. ii
Spiritual abuse is quite common in many churches in America. When spiritual abuse
takes place in any congregation it is time to go. No one should ever be spiritually abused.
We all know of pastors who abuse and we know a lot of pastors who are emotionally and
spiritually abused by congregations. And many righteous ones with the wisdom that God
has given them have protested about spiritual abuse and the rights of the sheep such as
Rev. Jack Cascione, The Voters' Assembly Is Invested With Authority from God, who stated:
'Thus writes St. Paul (1 Cor. 3:21-23): ‗Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things
are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things
present or things to come-all are yours. And you are Christ's and Christ is God's.' From this
[passage] we learn that all things that even Paul and Peter had were only treasures from
the jewel room of the believing Christians or of the church." ("Church and Ministry" C.F.W.
Walther, 1851, CPH 1982, page 50)
"However, this equality of believers is abrogated and the church is changed into a
secular organization if a minister demands obedience not only to the Word of Christ, his one
Lord and Head and that of all Christians, but also to what his own insight and experience
regard as good and suitable. As soon, therefore, as adiaphora or things indifferent, that is
things that are neither commanded nor forbidden in God's Word, come in question in the
church, a minister may never demand absolute obedience to what merely appears to him to
be best" ("Church and Ministry" C.F.W. Walther, 1851, CPH 1982, page 312)
"It follows from these statements of Scripture that the congregation of believers enjoys
a sovereignty under Christ which are not to be restricted or limited in any way. Christians
may not be made subject to a minister or a priest, because they are all ministers and
priests in their own right who have the privilege of approaching God directly. " ("The Abiding
Word", Alfred von Rohr Sauer, Volume III, CPH 1947 page 306)
"As such they (congregations) possessed all the gifts and rights of the Church which
Christ has bestowed upon it. Specifically, the function of the Christian congregation is to
administer the means of grace in its midst and to serve in this world for the conversion of
the sinner to God. This is nothing else than the administration of the keys of the Kingdom.
(Matt. 18:17-20; "Tell it to the church"; Matt. 16:19, John 20:22-23, "Whatsoever ye shall
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.")....The church, therefore functions as the
administrator of the office of the keys of the Kingdom." ("The Abiding Word", Richard Klan,
Volume III, CPH 1947 page 383)
Yes, Christians may not be made subject to a minister or a priest, because they are all
ministers and priests in their own right who have the privilege of approaching God directly.
Apostle Paul taught that ―there should be no schism in the body, but that the members
should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members
suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are
the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27). In other words in
the eyes of God and in the words of Jesus we are all brethren and no one except the Lord
has the right to rule over another Christian. Chuck Swindoll, author, pastor, seminary
president, once talked about the six traps in ministry including Authoritarianism,
Exclusiveness, Greed, Rationalization, Sensuality and Unaccountability:
1)Authoritarianism is the lack of a servant‘s heart. This is when the leadership has gone
wild with a tyrannical, oppressive pride. Don‘t suppress God‘s people. Respect them and
encourage them to be all God wants them to be. Don‘t abuse God‘s people. Christ is Lord,
not the pastor or anyone else in His church.
2) Exclusiveness is the ―I (or we) alone are all right.‖ ―Only we have the truth, or the
best program.‖ It constantly stresses the idea that we are the only people God uses. No one
else is as good, doctrinally correct, blessed of God, filled with the Spirit, etc. God has
blessed me, or our group as the elite Christians. The emphasis is on our distinctiveness,
denominational pride, selective doctrine, a special revelation or anointing from God, etc.
The leader promotes a clannish, cultic following, clicks, etc. The truth is in God‘s grace there
are no favorites. God does not play favorites with anyone. We are saved by grace alone.
There are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God.
3) Greed is the money crazy theme. How much do you harp on money? What is your
motive? Even building yourself a name for a church with a big budget falls prey to this
abuse. As a pastor I don‘t handle money. Let someone else do it. The church assigns a
group of people to count the money, the treasurer writes the checks and an audit
committee checks the books. Don‘t even find out who gives the most or how frequently they
give in your church. How do you handle money that people hand to you and say use it were
the greatest need is? Do you continue asking for money after you know you have all the
funds you need for a certain project?
4) Rationalization is the effort to justify wrong with a defensive spirit. Are you quick to
gloss over personal sin, make excuses or lie about it? Are you over emphasizing or
underemphasizing some area of purity? What areas and why?
5) Sensuality is how I handle sex. Treat all women in all purity. Stay away from any
compromise or even the smell of smoke. Don‘t become too familiar with the opposite sex, or
your own sex. Stay away from all appearance of evil. Live a pure life.
6) Unaccountability is the idea I answer only to God and no one else. As a pastor and a
member of my church I am always accountability to someone. I am accountable to the
deacons, the deacons are accountable to the church, and the church is accountable to one
another. Beware of the secretive, ―I am accountable only to God and I answer to no one
else.‖ No one is above accountability. Receive the confrontation of friends and mentors and
remind yourself that only observed behavior changes.
The apostle in Philippians 2:5-11 is stressed the remedy to spiritual abuse in modern
society. His emphasis was on the character of God that is seen in selfless service and
obedience to Christ and others. Jesus Christ is our perfect example of obedient service. His
attitude runs counter to the human tendency to dominate and control others for personal
gain. ―Think in this way,‖ Paul says, ―just as Jesus Christ thought in this way.‖ That is the
best safeguard we can have in the way we handle life. Follow the example of Christ‘s
selflessness, humility and obedience. On various occasions Paul has used Christ‘s behavior
as an example for believers‘ lifestyle (Rom. 15:3-9; 2 Cor. 8:9; Eph. 5:1-2; Col. 3:3ff; 1
Tim. 6:13-16). Paul normally puts the emphasis on living the Christian life in the believer‘s
union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:1-14; 1 Cor.6:11-20; Col.
3:1-4; Rom. 8:1-17; Gal. 2:16-20; 5:16-26). But here he tells us not only to imitate the
model of Christ. But ―Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.‖ We need to
yield and submit to Christ and the wonderful Holy Spirit daily so that the life of Christ might
be lived out through us and not our life.
J. Hudson Taylor English missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission
made the English term "exchanged life" popular through his testimony of how God made
him a new man. (Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, page 154.) The word "exchanged" is
used to signify that God has made it possible for us to exchange our total insufficiency to
live the Christian life for Christ's total sufficiency to live it through us. He did this by
exchanging our old identity in Adam for our new identity in Christ and by uniting our
newborn spirit with His (I Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 2:20). The term "exchanged life" is
related to the believer's discovery of his identity in Christ: that is he is a new creation, one
born of God, that he is not what he was before. It is time that we rediscover and practice
the truth that ―I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.‖ Yes, we are to let Christ live His life in and through us and we will
not be foolish ones who die for lack of wisdom. God‘s word is unchanging:
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in
the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I
became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me
for you, to fulfill the Word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages
and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed
to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every
man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect
in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which
works in me mightily. Colossians 1:24-29

i
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_and_religion
ii HOW TO IDENTIFY A DANGEROUS RELIGIOUS GROUP, Martin R. De Haan II, RBC Ministries.

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