FREEDOM

FREEDOM

Monday, September 16, 2019

1Timothy 6:6-14 [Apostle Paul exhorting Timothy] … godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable [not arrested, unculpable, unsullied and flawless], until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  Freedom is a peculiar thing to handle; indeed there are matters that are flat out wrong, some of which we personally preference. Had we been in charge of the garden in Eden, would we have given Adam and Eve the freedom that Jehovah God did? Knowing our natural inclinations, I strongly suspect not, but likely would have removed opportunity for original sin; and then afterward continued the practice same as frequently as possible.

  This is not to say that we should not seek and hold fast to righteousness, steadfastly unwavering in quest for personal purity according to The Word, for certainly we should within the arena of freedom that God leaves us once we have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; accepting Him we do not then go to heaven, but enter opportunity for preparation for heaven and the new reign.

  This activity requires gusto for guidance sought and found in Scripture, involving frequency of submission to God’s plain truth and personal revelation; entailing individual responsible application dynamic in relationship with spouse, children, family, extended family, coworkers, employees, managers, neighborhood, community, nation, world at large, et al . . . freedom not to be a life of isolation: Herein lies conflict.

  Personal maturation is list-topper never apart from Matthew 6:33. Control of society listed in the above paragraph is not. Influence, by godly loving testimony, is primary and essential; legislative determinate force, though available, is not primary, but comparatively minor. Why so? For a major reason: Christians are to, as did and does Jesus, love and it is an impossibility to legislate love.

  When Christians focus on political legislation, we do not manifest Biblical Christian love. How often do we cry out “There oughta be a law!” as opposed to frequency in giving Christ-like witness in word and deed? When is the last time we shared the gospel that Jesus saves, quickens, and delivers?

  Indeed there are matters that are flat out wrong, but we must never lose sight that they are first of all wrong for me, and that there is but one core solution: A changed heart, not by principally adding to the law as has been done by, continues to be done by both believer and unbeliever.

  As citizens we should vote, quote, and petition, but let us not fall into the trap of old of looking to human election and government as opposed to our Lord’s direction. (1Sam.8:1-22)

  If we have not done so already as God’s children, let us this day pledge to keep His exhorting to applied personal endeavor until the appearing of our Lord: Claiming salvation in and from Jesus Christ above all else and lovingly telling others the good news.  EBB4

Additional thought: Let us beware zeal in legislating away freedom for others, for in this we set the precedent stage enabling our loss of freedom when convenient or profitable to those in power.