Topic: Conditioned Liberty
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4-6; 1 Corinthians 8.
Memory Verse: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)
Liberty, according to Webster’s dictionary is Freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty when not checked or controlled. A man enjoys liberty when no physical force operates to restrain his actions or volitions. Thus liberty in Christ means freedom from restraint of sin. The moment you accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, you are freed from the restraint of the penalty of sin by faith in Jesus Christ because all your sins are forgiven ( John 8:30-36). It also means that sin has lost its power over your life since your character and conduct are now by faith in Jesus and shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit, your new teacher (Romans 6:5-6:14). Also, liberty in Christ means you are now free from Jewish law of Moses which requires total compliance with all but you now operate under Grace. (Romans 3:20-22).
Finally, you are free to operate the way you like in any matter not forbidden by the word of God as long as you do not lead others to sin by such an act. For example, while you are free to eat any meat irrespective of how or where it is killed, you should consider the fact that if your brother, who is not that strong in faith should see you eat meat from idols, his conscience may be weakened and so he may stumble in his faith in Christ. Based on this, you are constrained from eating such a meat ( Romans 14:14-16).
This constrained liberty applies to all activities in life generally that relate to conduct such as wearing of cloth, jewelry, make-up, smoking, drinking, dancing amongst others. Your guiding principle is whether it will cause any other believer to stumble or fall from faith. If so, though you have the freedom, but for the sake of your brethren, you are constrained from exercising that freedom. This is why our liberty in Jesus Christ is conditioned.
Your guiding principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV), “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” This is the foundation of Christianity; love for God and other fellow beings.
Prayer point: Father, help me never to abuse my liberty in Jesus Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero