Thursday, October 23, 2008

Freedom From Legalism - Part 9 - Conclusion

First the Christian is not free to do what the Bible forbids. Christian freedom does not give you the right to fornicate or to steal or to lie or to persist in an unforgiving attitude or to do anything else the scriptures explicitly prohibit. And a person who lovingly points this out to you is not a legalist for having done so!
Second God does not want your Christian life to be characterized or dominated by fear and guilt and intimidation. He wants you to experience optimum joy, freedom, intimacy delight in Him. He wants you to enjoy your freedom and to use it in the service of love for others.
Third, there is something more important than the mere exercise of freedom— love. Read Galatians 5:13 again, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love". Read Romans 14 where Paul gives the reasons why at times we should let go of legitimate Christian freedom for the sake of others.
Fourth, we may advise, we can share our own experiences we can point out the Word of God, but we can never command the conscience of another believer. The key concept is responsibility. We are free as Christians but we must use our freedom in a way that supports, helps or builds up the other person, not in a way that harms them or tears them down.
Fifth practice these three truths from Romans 14:10-13:
1. Stop judging your neighbor, "why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?...Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another".
2. Take inventory of your own actions and behavior, "We will all stand before God's judgment seat...so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God".
3. Do what you can to build up the Body, "Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brothers way".

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