Christian liberty

* This is the message about DAILY BEHAVIOUR - "would it be right for me as a Christian to do this, or go there....?"

* Second-hand convictions will not do. Too many Christians decide what to do by referring to the traditions and taboos which prevail among their fellow-believers. This approach is condemned in the Word of God. Mark 7 vs 9,13, Rom 14 vs 3-4, Col 2 vs 20-23, Gal 4 vs 9-11, 4 vs 31- 5 vs 1.

* No - we are not slaves accountable to a steward, but sons accountable to God alone (Gal 4 vs 5). Only God may dictate to us how to live - nobody else (Rom 14 vs 4-5). Christ died to set us free, and nobody must therefore be permitted to infringe our liberty (Gal 5 vs 1). Nobody may command us to do anything, unless God commands it in Scripture. NOBODY!

* So we have terrific liberty as Christians. The fact that this liberty can be abused (Gal 5 vs 13) is not a reason for stealing it from each other. All God's are dangerous in the wrong hands.

** The facts are that we may live exactly as we please, PROVIDED :-

• We do not disobey Scripture
  • Some things are clearly commanded; others, clearly forbidden. We are not saved by law-keeping - as we saw last week. But right is still right, being saved doesn't alter that. The whole Bible is necessary to know what is right and what is wrong. 2 Tim 3 vs 16-17.
• We do not disobey lawful authority
  • The state is to be obeyed, provided it does not violate divine law; and provided it keeps within it keeps within its own province, and does not meddle in the family, the Church, and my individual walk with God. Rom 3 vs 1-7 etc...
• We do not hinder our own Christian lives
  • Something's are not wrong in themselves, but hinder my spiritual effectiveness, weaken my faith, dampen my zeal, reduce my power to resist temptation, and tend to enslave me. These things must be laid aside. 1 Cor 6 vs 12, Heb 12 vs 1.
• We do nothing to stumble our weaker brother
  • Some Christians are weak, and we need to support and consider them (Rom 14 vs 1, 15 vs 1, 1 Cor 8 vs 9,11). Such a person is easily tempted and falls. He is weak in faith (Rom 14 vs 1); in knowledge (1 Cor 8 vs 7); in conscience (1 Cor 8 vs 12). He is unable to grasp the fact that we can enjoy ALL God's gifts without scruples.
  • We are not to despise him (Rom 14 vs 3), or to destroy him (1 Cor 8 vs 11) - that is, cause him to fall spiritually (Rom 14 vs 21,13), or cause him to go against his own conscience (Rom 14 vs 14). We may sometimes need to hurt his feelings, and should not be put off trying to instruct his conscience.
  • He, in turn, is not to pass judgement on us (Rom 14 vs 3), and to consider that we are less sincere in following the Lord (Rom 14 vs 6). Let both consider Romans 14 vs 9-12.
• We do those things which build up Christ's body
  • We are not only free individuals, but members of a body. We are to seek each other's benefit (Gal 4 vs 13,1 Cor 10 vs 23, Rom 13 vs 10). We do not ask of this thing "How can I enjoy it?", but "How may I use it to build up the Lord's people?"
• We do nothing to hinder the spread of the Gospel
  • We are free. But we are prepared to for go our freedom, if doing so will serve the Gospel (1 Cor 9 vs 12, 19, 10 vs 33). We are not bound to a particular culture, but we may choose to observe it carefully, if doing so will serve the Gospel (1 Cor 9 vs 22)
• We do everything to God's glory
  • See 1 Cor 10 vs 31. This is what are freedom is for. As we exercise our liberty, we are to carry ourselves as men and women actively seeking to glorify our Father in heaven.

If we are to do a thing, we must be able to do it to His glory. It must be capable of being consecrated to HIM!