“Free” Yet “Subject”

It is often just this lack of true balance which brings in disaster upon the path of service. Liberty is claimed and subjection refused, or subjection is pressed and freedom in service disallowed. “Am I not free?” asked the apostle in 1 Corinthians 9:1.

I am “free from all” (v. 19), he said, in regard to the work with which he was entrusted, though he made himself servant of all for their good.

Nevertheless he was truly subject: “not as without law to God, but as legitimately subject to Christ” (v. 21, N.Tr.). No servant enjoyed greater freedom! Indeed, some sought, he tells us, “to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Gal. 2:4); yet he served the Lord in a consistent manner, for he knew that one “is not crowned unless he contend lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5).

It is the Son who makes us “REALLY FREE,” for the Son is free; but He took upon Him the form of a servant, and said Himself, “I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment even so I do.”

When we meditate upon both His freedom and His wondrous subjection, we learn what is acceptable to God.

H.J.V.