The Question Of Christian Liberty
Romans 14
KJV
14+ I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
In a complex society with diverse views and interests, we must respect each other’s choices of what they prefer, especially where no rule has been established.
Right and wrong as a rule are determined by what scripture says and not by man. This is what should be in the church. Whereas civil society points to a constitution as the basis of determining right or wrong, the church points to the scriptures (the Bible).
If something is right or wrong by scripture, and it is so established and grounded in unambiguous terms; then that is what it is nothing can be done to make a right wrong or vice versa. Scriptures have spoken.
But where there is no such stated rule(s) we are left to fashion out our own rules however these must not be rigidly imposed or enforced. Acceptance and compliance are voluntary choices to the extent that each person sees them as they are.
We do this because there is no law, and where there is no law there is no sin. For it is through the law that we come to know what is sin. Sin is not defined by man, sin is not what man says it is, but what the scriptures say.
Romans 5
KJV
13+ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Romans 3
KJV
20+ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
It is in this context that the above scriptures must be understood,
Romans 14:14
NIV
[14] I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.
As can be seen from the discussion, the controversy that Paul was addressing is the eating of meat, herbs etc. It looks like the contention was between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
The issue was about liberty, Do Christians have liberty? Do we have any freedoms? This is a question nobody is asking! To most Christians there is nothing like liberty all is about the rule of law and the strict obedience without which you are not a Christian.
Paul’s statement “ that nothing is unclean in itself.” Has to do with anything that the Scriptures have said nothing about. Surely, there are things that scriptures have designated as clean and unclean so if care is not taken to understand what Paul meant by putting this expression in context, we shall be making scripture to contradict itself.
It is a question of Christian liberty when it comes to things that are not mentioned and also in the absence of rules, or any thus saith the Lord; In such situations what should we do?
Here is where we have the problem, whereas some would prefer not to do anything though there is no law, some think otherwise. So the conflict or controversy is between those who prefer to do nothing and those who prefer to do something!
By Paul’s logic, those who prefer to do nothing have not done anything wrong it is their choice. Likewise, those who prefer to do something have also not done any wrong except that they should take into account the feelings of the other group!
The bottom line is that neither of these two groups has sinned. For where there is no law, there is no sin. To do or not to do anything where there is no law is a matter of the individual's choice.
What is important is that no one puts a stumbling block in the path of the other. Because each shall render account.
2 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13+ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Our problem is one of knowing, acknowledging and understanding that ;
- Not everything is stated in black and white in the scriptures
- There is something called Christian liberty
- The practice of which is a matter of choice and not a force, it is voluntary
- This liberty is practiced in matters that have nothing to do with salvation
- In the practice of Christian liberty, each must be considerate and mindful of their actions, it’s impact on others. ( anti-libertarians)
The problem of disunity and controversy in the church has to do with the failure to accept, understand and practice this concept called Christian Liberty. If we do controversies shall be a thing of the past.
A thought to share