OUR FREEDOM

Here in America we take our freedom for granted. I read a quote from George Otis: “In America the most important thing is that people have freedom. In restricted countries the most important thing is what people do with freedom.”

I think there’s a question we have to answer. What are we going to do with this freedom which has been passed down to us and for which many have given their lives? Are we going to pass it on to our children and grandchildren? Are we going to lose it or let it be taken away? I think that’s a very important subject to consider.

When I lived in Germany I found out that there were restrictions we did not even know about. One day one of our singles decided to cut the grass in the backyard of the church at 1:00 p.m. We found out that Germany had a “quiet” law for two hours after lunch. We also started to cut down a tree on our property and found out that you have to have permission from the government to do that. Those are only two that I’ll mention at this time.

You say, Preacher, that would never happen in America! Oh, no! Just think back to freedoms you have lost in your life time. Think about how big government has gotten in the last 25 years. Schools can’t give your child an aspirin without your permission, but they can give them condoms and even recommend abortions in some cases. Public education is funded with government money so government dictates the policies and educational materials, without your permission.

We are losing more and more control over our children, our businesses and just about everything else in life. America had better wake up!

But there’s another freedom we have to consider, and that’s the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Before we were saved we were in bondage. We were in bondage to sin. We read in Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” We were in bondage but Christ has made us free. We read also in verse 21 of that same 8th chapter “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

I’m thankful for the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. We’re no longer under sin, the law or Satan. We have been set free. Through the work of Christ on the cross, the demand of God has been met. The work of Grace has made us a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). But what is our responsibility now? What are we going to do with that freedom or liberty that we have in Christ Jesus?

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” There would be some who would put us back under some kind of law. It might be some list of do’s and don’ts that they say demonstrate spiritual maturity. It could be the bondage of our conscience because they mock some personal standards we might have in our own life. Whatever it might be, Paul is saying don’t get back under some kind of bondage. You have been set free. Praise the Lord!

But there is a contrasting thought here. We also have a responsibility to a weaker brother. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 8:9 “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” I’m not talking about a Pharisee who sits off to the side making judgments on your actions. If you’ll remember, Christ never cut the Pharisees any slack whatsoever. No, I’m talking a weaker brother who has not come to the place of resting in the Grace we have in Christ Jesus. If our liberty would lead him to violate his conscience and cause him to stumble in his Christian life, then it would be better if we limit our liberty for his sake.

There are some things that my wife and I practice or could practice because we have determined through study of the Word of God that we have liberty to do so. Some may differ with us on those practices and we know it. Therefore, we limit our practices for the moment, or all together. We have liberty, but we do not want to cause anyone to stumble because of our actions. Our concern for others is more important than our freedom. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” We want to help others grow, not cause a stumbling block.

Our responsibility doesn’t stop with us not being entangled again in bondage or not causing someone to stumble. You are I are called to be a witness to the lost world around us. How does witnessing and freedom and liberty fit together? I believe there are two ways to witness: Life Style & Lip Service. Our life style is demonstrated by the two things we have just talked about. Of course there is much more involved in our life style, but for this discussion let’s limit it to the two. Remember though, no one ever gets saved by watching your life style. Your life style only opens up the opportunity for you to be a verbal witness of the freedom and liberty that comes through Jesus Christ. You and I must be faithful to this responsibility to tell people why we have this freedom and liberty and how they can experience the same in their life by repenting of their sin and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

That’s my view; what about you?