THE TROUBLE WITH LIBERTY
Romans 14:13b-21
I notice some of you are wearing YOUR bullet-proof vests this week–or at least, steel-toed shoes!
Top priority in our day: “MY freedom!” “MY rights!
One of the fundamental principles of NT teaching is that Christ has made us FREE!
We are no longer slaves of sin
We are no longer subject to the law
We are no longer slaves to legalistic bondage, to try to gain acceptance by God, or by other people.
“WE’RE FREE!” –But how far do we take this?
It’s frequently observed: my liberty ends where your nose begins [More often YOUR/my!!!].
How far does my liberty go? How high a price am I willing to pay to enjoy MY freedom?
Is it really true that, since I’m in Christ, I can do anything I want to?
Biblical teaching re. “doubtful things” is hard for several reasons:
1) Legalists don't like to be viewed as weak—we think WE’RE strong! (carnal are weak!
2) We’re better at judging others than at doing what God wants us to do!
3) It’s not popular to talk about giving up rights--Everyone thinks we should fight for our rights!
HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT WE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T DO?
Basic rule is clear. Study God’s Word to see what God says about it.
What does God say to do? What does God say NOT to do?
Motivated by love, do what He says do! Don't do what He says not to!
God’s children should reply "God has spoken, I won't ask for a second opinion."
Things the Bible doesn't mention. Red socks [PICK YOURS!]
What do we do about those things? How do we decide what to do?
Look for principles that give us a general idea of what God expects.
When Bible doesn't set a standard, we have liberty to do what seems best, as long as we submit our choices to Spirit's direction.
Rom 14-15: OUR RESPONSIBILITY, when facing such decisions.
FIRST PRINCIPLE: DON'T JUDGE OTHERS! 14:1-13a
Only God has the right to judge.He hasn’t delegated that authority to US!
If you’re free to do something, don't look down on people who aren't!
If you aren't free to do something, don't condemn people who are (free)!
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
Not suggesting we shouldn’t have personal convictions re. debatable issues!
Paul says each of us should be convinced that what we’re doing pleases God!
Problem comes when we try to impose OUR standards on other people!
Those who can’t do something, don’t condemn those who can!
Those who can, don’t put down/make fun of those who can’t!
We’re FREE to do what we believe God wants US to do!
Nobody has a right before God to judge us, nor to tell us what to do! We’re FREE!
We have no right to condemn or belittle OTHER PEOPLE for their choices!
[ This morning we want to consider . . . ] THE TROUBLE WITH LIBERTY
Liberty is a great thing
Problem comes when we get a self-centered view of liberty
I have my rights!
Nobody has a right to tell ME what to do!
I can do whatever I feel like!
Self-centered view of liberty is wrong! Like SIN, it puts “I” in the middle.
SECOND PRINCIPLE: 14:13b-21
AVOID ANYTHING WHICH MIGHT HURT SOMEONE ELSE!
Greater resistance among Christians to this basic principle than to any other principle in Scripture!
I put on my “bullet-proof vest” again– to keep preaching what Romans says!
I have to say what GOD says about this issue. And WE better do what HE tells US to do about it!
We don’t much care for His opinion! We’d rather “get a second opinion.”
We’d rather please ourselves, than give up our rights for others—especially some people WE know!
Freedom: being able to do what you please, without considering what anyone else wants, except your wife, your boss, police, life insurance company, state, federal, and city authorities, your neighbors, your friends at church! [ and God! ]
3 SPECIFIC EXHORTATIONS: (hard to put into practice!)
1) WALK ACCORDING TO LOVE 14:13b-16
It isn't our job to judge others, but it IS our job to change the way WE live!
Determine not to put any roadblocks, nor cause to fall, in anyone else's way.13b
2 problems may arise when you go on a hike:
-rock you trip over Fran Downey’s fall
-trap you get stuck in, or hurt your foot in.
Avoid conduct that might cause someone else to trip and fall, or that might cause them to get stuck or hurt.
In doubtful things, problem isn't absolute standards God established.
Whether we do these things or not won’t affect relationship with God!
Doing or NOT doing them, as far as God is concerned, makes no difference
Paul affirms: nothing is unclean in itself.
God created everything and "God don't make no junk!"
He doesn't make anything bad; everything God made is good!
Therefore, food and drink they’re talking about are good; GOD MADE THEM!
However, not everyone sees it from that perspective.
When you see something as wrong; it’s wrong for you, if for anyone else or not.
If you participate, your perception makes it wrong for you!
You shouldn't take part in it! 14
1 Cor. 8:1-7 (similar case: We don't all see things from the same angle)
Our perception determines what’s right or wrong for us.
We all have some knowledge. BUT knowledge alone only serves to puff us up.
Love is worth far more, because it builds up OTHERS. =>
We have to worry about others’ perspective—not just our own.
LOVING OTHERS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ENJOYING LIBERTY!
If I insist on using my rights, even though it won’t hurt ME, I may harm a brother or sister, and thus not walk according to love.
It’s better to sacrifice my prerogatives to show genuine love and not harm someone else 15a
IT’S BETTER TO GIVE UP OUR RIGHTS
IT’S BETTER TO WALK BY LOVE
Too often, God's people, even leaders, insist on our rights, at expense of weaker, struggling people.
Paul urges us not to let a little thing like food trip up someone and ruin THEIR walk with God.
Love is worth more than food, or any activity we may claim as our right
“Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.”
Christ loved this weaker person enough to die for him.
Are we willing to let our rights cause the downfall of someone our Lord loved that much?
“Destroy” doesn't refer to loss of salvation; it’s to ruin, go sour, turn bad.
It may ruin what God is doing in someone’s life! We get in their way!
When we walk that way, we aren't walking in love.
Don’t let persistence in doing anything discredit what we value as good. 16
"Good thing" could refer to activity itself, or to our liberty
Either way, to insist on our rights discredits something good.
We should be willing to give up something "good" for sake of others!
It’s better to walk in love so God’s glorified by seeking good of others
2) PURSUE PEACE AND BUILDING UP ONE ANOTHER 14:17-19
Some things are worth fighting for, but food and drink aren't among them.
NOT that important! (At least they shouldn't be!)
If we’re going to chase after something, . . .
Only goal worth committing our life to: pursuing God’s kingdom!
Matt. 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you”
When we pursue that, we realize how insignificant other things are.
Neither food, nor drink, nor anything else is that important.
Such things aren’t essence of kingdom of God. It’s better to look for the kingdom.
[ What IS the essence of the kingdom which we should be seeking? ] 17
Three fundamental elements make up the kingdom:
It’s NOT about food and drink!
It’s about: justice, peace, and joy.
All three produced by H.S. and deal with relationships with others
These three produce more fruit than struggle to establish my rights!
If we’re going to fight for something, it would be better to fight for these!
He who dedicates himself to pleasing God that way can be sure of pleasing Him, and people also! 18
We received such a great salvation, when we didn’t deserve it; we should seek what contributes to peace and to building up the body of Christ.
Our first priority:
What’s best for one another–NOT defending our own rights. 19
3) DON'T DESTROY GOD'S WORK 14:20-21
Paul acknowledges that food they want to eat is good; everything’s good because God made it.
He’s not willing to accept that it’s good to fight over anything like this at expense of a brother.
No food is worth that much!
He insists that we not destroy God's work in others, just so WE can enjoy our right to eat it.
Although food is good, it's wrong to eat, if it causes someone to fall. 20
Universal affirmation–His commitment–goes beyond food he’s dealing with: 21
If eating meat offends others, don't eat it!
If drinking wine offends others, don't drink it!
If any other activity causes others to trip and fall, DON'T DO IT!
Nothing is that important!!! Period.
As a boy, John Mitchell was familiar with mountains and mine pits around his house. One night his Scout troop went on a midnight hike. Since Mitchell knew the mountains and where the pits were, he took several jaunts away from the troop. The scoutmaster admonished him, “You know where the mine pits are and how to avoid them, but when you go to them you make a path others may follow to their death.
None of our rights is so important enough to risk hurting other people.
Do what builds up others, rather than what affirms our own rights.
WORTHWHILE VOW: I WON’T DO ANYTHING
WHICH CAUSES OTHERS TO TRIP AND FALL
For years I’ve emphasized this message—In church, seminary classes, and even pastors' seminars.
There’s always a protest: "You can't live this way!"
"We can't submit our lives to the likes and dislikes of everybody else."
"You could never do anything that way!"
Costa Rica experience: Wizard of Oz –stupid issue!
How important was it for sake of a brother or sister?
WHAT IS GOD ASKING US TO DO?
HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
CHRIST LOVED US ENOUGH TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR US?
DO WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER ENOUGH TO GIVE UP OUR RIGHTS FOR EACH OTHER?