Living in Freedom

Romans 14:22-23 (The Message)
22 -23 Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

The apostle talking to Christians tells them to build a relationship with God so they understand what God desires of them. God has a purpose for each person and only through fellowship with our Lord and Savior can we know our purpose. More than just knowing God we understand who we are as a child of God. There is freedom and liberty in knowing Christ as Lord and Savior, but individual liberty should not impose itself on others either to persuade them or to discourage them. Let your conscience be free of guilt knowing that your life is consistent with what you believe.

Freedom is not a license for abuse. In our country we have many freedoms, but those freedoms do not allow us to act without responsible thought. For instance our freedom of speech is cut short when its intent leads to harmful disruption. Try yelling in a crowd of people “I have a gun and I’m going to shoot” and see how quickly your moment of freedom comes to an end. We have a freedom to enjoy the pursuit of happiness, but we cannot take from another person in order to secure our happiness. With freedom comes responsibility. 1 Peter 2:16 says, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God..” Our pursuit of freedom should lead to righteousness, peace, joy and fellowship with our Lord. Our freedom was not given to ignore what God desires from us, but instead it was given to help us fulfill His desires for out life. Romans 15:3-6 tells us, “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Live as Christ did, not living to please yourself, but living to please God and you will find freedom.