EQUATING LIBERTY WITH LICENSE?

From My Perspective - - -

In the day when The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was more common, it reminded one of the words – “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” There was a sense that there would be a common purpose and goal throughout the nation. There was also a sense of responsibility in terms of one’s personal behavior as well as a concern for others, especially the needier. Within a responsible culture, there would be less selfishness and greed as a nation worked together to preserve “liberty and justice for all.” It appears that such a concept and goal is becoming a fading memory.

If there is a place and people who should demonstrate the standards, principles and goals of those who are the vanguard of “liberty and justice for all”, the “church” bears a great duty and obligation to be that example and model. IF a person observes the “church” today, does he/she find it to be a place free of bigotry, selfishness, rivalry, contentiousness, personal ambitions and pursuits? When Jesus stated part of the minimum responsibility for His people and His Church, He indicated in Matthew 5:13-16 what they were to be: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” In other words, His Church is to impact His world so that many will sense and know the reality of liberty and justice in Jesus Christ. However, if one is perceptive and views the “Church” objectively, a conclusion could be reached in terms of (a) the salt isn’t very salty or useful and (b) the light is flickering so greatly that it is becoming an unreliable source for illumination.

Many have maintained that the “Church” is becoming more like the world rather than it being the influence so that the world will become more like “The Church”. This is not a new issue. When Paul wrote to a group of people who were becoming too much like the world and culture in which they were living, he wrote in Galatians 5:13-17, “For you were called to freedom…Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” This discourse began as a caution with regard to the imposition of circumcision as a requirement for all. Very quickly, Paul expands his thoughts to include the way in which one can solidify the idea of “liberty and justice for all”. It is contained in the words of verse 16, “Walk by the enablement of the Spirit and you will not be gratifying the desires of the flesh.” 

In a different set of circumstances, Peter addresses the same issue in terms of personal behavior and responsibility. In I Peter 2:16, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” This is stated succinctly and clearly to a people who were facing considerable cultural pressures and oppression. One can only wonder what Paul and Peter would write to the “church” of today. From the Leadership and filtering down into the congregation, the Model and Example that is becoming more pronounced is that “Liberty” in Christ allows one to practice any standard in terms of personal habits and practice. For many years, those who advocate this form of “freedom and liberty” have actually crossed a line from Liberty into an embrace of License. If a voice is raised about such a posture and practice, there is a quick retort that one is both a “weaker brother” (Romans 14) and is being judgmental regarding another. The result is that the “church” may have become (or is becoming) socially acceptable while at the same time becoming spiritually impotent. One would do well to read I Corinthians 8 in terms of what one may be free to do - but also - why one should refrain from exercising that freedom. Verse 9, “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” In, Verses 12-13, “…sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience…you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” Consider these things with me.