There is only one thing that is
bound up with total freedom in Christ.
Do you know what it is? Does that
one thing permit total self-indulgence?
Why, or why not?
I have
often seen ‘freedom in Christ’ as an excuse for people to do what they want to
do anyway. I have also seen it so
narrowly interpreted that those who had this ‘freedom’ appeared to be anything
but ‘free’ as they lay their burden of expectations on others. So what kind of freedom is Paul talking
about? Freedom from civil law? Cultural law? Religious law? Parental law?
Self-imposed law?
“Paul
is concerned about the wrong influence of man’s perspective about freedom. To
the world (those operating without the divine absolutes of Scripture) freedom
means the right to be and do as you please, how you please, when you please,
where you please. It means doing your own thing, being your own boss, looking
after number one first. The Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary says it
means “exemption from necessity in choice and action.” It is the right to any
choice so long as it is your own personal choice.”[1]
What are some problems with this point of view _______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
In your own life,
in what ways have you used your liberty, (your throwing off of the laws rules
and expectations of man), as an opportunity for the flesh? ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________Are you
pleased with the results? Is your
conscience clear and free? Have your words and/or actions been good, healthy,
and edifying to others?
Now let’s look at
freedom as described by Jesus and the apostles.
If we are set free from the condemnation due us, and set free from fear
of the future and fear of man, from a mindset of self-serving, and set free
from striving for personal justification and approval, then we are free
indeed! Exploitation of others and moral
degeneracy do not result from this kind of freedom. For in this state of freedom we are able to
love well, and to ourselves grow in a good way, whether circumstances are
positive or negative, whether men are for us or against us.
This is the liberty
to which we are called and it is the liberty which enables us to fulfill the
law, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Seriously evaluate your own understanding and
exercise of freedom. Has it served you
as an opportunity for your flesh, or has it enabled you to love well?
Read
and Pray: I
Corinthians 5:6-13, I Peter, 2:13-16, I Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 7:12
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