With Great Freedom Comes Great Responsibility Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.(Matthew 5:37 ESV) One of the first godly characteristics that begin to fall away when society starts going against God and truth is INTEGRITY. By definition, integrity means adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. As we can see in the realm of politics, this is a very rare quality. But it is disappearing in other areas as well. Instead of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, we allow ourselves wiggle room just in case we change our mind or something better comes along. Then, instead of standing our ground and upholding our word and being honest, we go a different direction and pass the blame on someone or something else. After all, were free, right? I believe this characteristic is what was missing from those who came to Jesus, intending to follow Him but then made excuses. To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-62 ESV) With Jesus there is no straddling the fence. We will either FOLLOW or we will make excuses. The REQUIREMENT is simple; And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38 ESV). We have been given great freedom. But that freedom has requirements and boundaries! It is LIBERTY, not license! Liberty gives one extensive freedom within boundaries which have responsibility to uphold and consequences when broken. License means I can do it my way anytime and anywhere without consequence. And if I get caught I BLAME others! The classic case study is Adam and Eve. As Christians we are held to a higher standard. We have great freedom under the GRACE of God but we are not to abuse that freedom. Paul addresses the issue like this: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2 ESV). We have been set free from the bondage of sin. Therefore, we are no longer under its condemnation. But, we have a responsibility to live FREE and not submit ourselves back into slavery. Sin will always produce death. We are to pursue the freedom we have been given and live in liberty! Dont give your word and then break it because it is inconvenient for you to follow through. When you mess up, simply admit it and take responsibility for your mistakes. By doing this we allow for Gods grace and restoration and mercy. Theres a word for this - its called REPENTANCE! (1 John 1:8-9)
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:21:54 +0000
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