The blessing and responsibility of freedom

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. — 1 Corinthians 6:12

One of the things I love the most in my life is freedom. I am blessed to live in a free nation called the United States. That freedom is something that many people across the world do not enjoy, but I am blessed to be free.

I also love when that freedom comes into my personal life in other areas as well. For example, perhaps you are excited when you are free from personal responsibility for a short period of time. It could be a few minutes away from a child or some time away from work. There’s just something special about freedom.

While freedom is special, great responsibility comes along with freedom. Just because I may be in a free nation, does not mean I can do anything I wish. There are ethical and moral bounds to that freedom I possess as a Christian.

Paul in his writings to the Corinthians, says this to the Corinthians in this verse. He says that just because you are free, it does not mean you should do anything you wish. He specifically cites sexual immorality as something that while it is legal, is something that a Christian should abstain from.

The list goes well beyond just sexual immorality. While we are free, we have to remember that we are representatives of Christ in everything that we do. The things that we say, the places that we go, and the things that we do are all representative of Him. Before we act, we must ask ourselves how this would represent Christ to others if they were to know what we were doing.