What is ethics?....continued
Freedom
Another root of Christian ethics is freedom. We are set free
through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
This freedom of which we talk is not license but the liberty
to be free from slavery to sin. It is the liberty that frees us to serve God,
as we should. The freedom that this relationship grants is to serve God as a
friend, as one who is in daily contact with the Master. Romans 14 is a chapter
that gives understanding to the Kingdom laws of liberty and love.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant?
To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able
to make him stand.
and
Rom 14:12 So then, each of us will give an
account of himself to God. Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on
one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way.
and
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is
not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit,
Rom 14:18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is
pleasing to God and approved by men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore make every
effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
A godly man once said that grace is to love the Lord and do
what you want. This at first appears to be license; however, on closer
inspection we must acknowledge the following.
1. To truly love God means that we will do what pleases
God.
2. Jesus points out, "If you love me you will obey my commands".
3. Freedom comes through relationship, a love relationship.
Therefore obedience is the natural response and consequence
of the freedom that comes through the loving relationship we have with Jesus
Christ. This freedom grants the Christian two opportunities:
1. To make
choices and to follow what we believe that God has said to us.
2. To gain
the revelation of the absolute truths of God and the spiritual principles on
which the universe and life are based.
Back to homepage |
