Freedom is NOT a Free for All

So, we turn to the topic of Christian liberty. Before we delve into the paragraph, we need to understand that freedom is not free. Typically, this statement refers to the military in the sacrifices they must make. As Christians, the same could be said of our liberty. While our spiritual freedom is free to us, it cost Christ His life. He died on a cross to shed His blood and atone for our sins. Our freedom came at tremendous cost to someone else.

With that understood, we need to examine Christian liberty. Verse 12 tells us that "all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful." So clearly here, we can do anything that we want; however, our desire needs to be balanced by what is helpful to us. Just because I can do something does not mean that it is the best thing for me. Jim Collins, in his seminal work Good to Great, attacks our culture for its acceptance of good when we could be great. That same principal applies in the Christian life.

Think of it this way: I really want a red Dodge Dakota 4x4 pickup and there is no Scriptural mandate against buying it. It would be good because I would have more space to take my entire family instead of only being able to take my son. Yet, is it best for me? No. The new vehicle means a car payment, higher insurance costs, an increase in fuel costs, and the fact that vehicles immediately depreciate before the ink is dry on the contract. Good and lawful but not best or helpful.

Our lives are filled with difficult and often unclear decisions. We have wants and desires but need to balance them with what is best and right. The latter part of the verse states that Paul "would not be brought under the power of any." In other words, he did not want to yield control of his life to anything other than God. That is an essential consideration in spiritual liberty -- is the "good" choice going to be one that will enslave me, thereby, taking me away from God?

Remember, we are to glorify God in everything we do. He wants what is best for us, but we need to avoid distractions by settling for good when we can have greatness provided by God. Seek Him. Love Him. Trust Him. Serve Him.