The Liberty Bell is housed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a symbol of the principles of liberty for which the American Revolution were fought. Inscribed on the bell is part of a scripture from the twenty fifth chapter of Leviticus verse ten:
"...Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof..."
The blessings of liberty, and the true meaning of liberty are slowly being forgotten in our society. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines liberty as: "1. Freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty, when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty, when not checked or controlled. A [person] enjoys liberty, when no physical force operates to restrain [their] actions or volitions."
The freedom to operate without restraint is essential to the progress of mankind and the eternal progress of each individual. Eternal progress cannot be achieved through coercion or force, but only by the free will of an individual accepting the eternal laws and truths that permit such progress. The freedom to choose means the freedom to succeed or fail.
Liberty and its preservation requires a society that loves freedom and hates oppression, longs for virtue and shuns vice, and reveres the law and despises corruption. The principles of liberty must be taught throughout the various stages of each individuals life or the principles will be lost. If liberty is not cherished, if its principles are not taught, liberty can become a "stumbling block" to the uneducated or deceived.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "...take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9). The Corinthians sought counsel from the Apostle regarding the consumption of food offered in sacrifice unto idols. Specifically they wondered whether the consumption of such food meant they were worshiping such idols. Bruce R. McConkie comments that Paul instructed them "that in theory it is completely immaterial whether the saints eat such meat or not, because idols are not true gods, and there is actually no religious significance to the pseudo-sacrifices one way or the other. But he reasons, in practice it may be wise not to eat this meat, since such a course might cause those who are weak in the faith to assume there was virtue and benefit in the sacrifices themselves and therefore to be led astray" (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, vol. 2 p. 348-349). The Corinthians were free to eat the meat, since it had no religious significance, but by eating it, the weak might be deceived into turning away from the LORD. This is how liberty can become a stumbling block; failure can be chosen by accident.
It would be contrary to the principles of liberty to force people not to "eat the meat" or take away their freedom to choose. Therefore, the Lord has commanded that liberty be proclaimed "throughout all the land unto the inhabitants thereof". Proclaiming liberty to all, will give people a choice. It is instruction that pertains to a higher plane of living. It is a blueprint for a life of peace and joy. It must be proclaimed so that people can choose to live and love liberty. It is for this reason I have titled this blog as "Proclaim Liberty". I hope that whoever reads it will be encouraged themselves to proclaim liberty wherever they may be.
May the LORD bless all who choose to proclaim liberty and live by its principles.
The freedom to operate without restraint is essential to the progress of mankind and the eternal progress of each individual. Eternal progress cannot be achieved through coercion or force, but only by the free will of an individual accepting the eternal laws and truths that permit such progress. The freedom to choose means the freedom to succeed or fail.
Liberty and its preservation requires a society that loves freedom and hates oppression, longs for virtue and shuns vice, and reveres the law and despises corruption. The principles of liberty must be taught throughout the various stages of each individuals life or the principles will be lost. If liberty is not cherished, if its principles are not taught, liberty can become a "stumbling block" to the uneducated or deceived.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "...take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9). The Corinthians sought counsel from the Apostle regarding the consumption of food offered in sacrifice unto idols. Specifically they wondered whether the consumption of such food meant they were worshiping such idols. Bruce R. McConkie comments that Paul instructed them "that in theory it is completely immaterial whether the saints eat such meat or not, because idols are not true gods, and there is actually no religious significance to the pseudo-sacrifices one way or the other. But he reasons, in practice it may be wise not to eat this meat, since such a course might cause those who are weak in the faith to assume there was virtue and benefit in the sacrifices themselves and therefore to be led astray" (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, vol. 2 p. 348-349). The Corinthians were free to eat the meat, since it had no religious significance, but by eating it, the weak might be deceived into turning away from the LORD. This is how liberty can become a stumbling block; failure can be chosen by accident.
It would be contrary to the principles of liberty to force people not to "eat the meat" or take away their freedom to choose. Therefore, the Lord has commanded that liberty be proclaimed "throughout all the land unto the inhabitants thereof". Proclaiming liberty to all, will give people a choice. It is instruction that pertains to a higher plane of living. It is a blueprint for a life of peace and joy. It must be proclaimed so that people can choose to live and love liberty. It is for this reason I have titled this blog as "Proclaim Liberty". I hope that whoever reads it will be encouraged themselves to proclaim liberty wherever they may be.
May the LORD bless all who choose to proclaim liberty and live by its principles.
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