Freedom + Responsibility
Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims. (1 Cor. 6:12 The Message Bible)
'It’s true that our freedom allows us to do anything, but that doesn’t mean that everything we do is good for us. I’m free to do as I choose, but I choose to never be enslaved to anything.' (1 Cor. 6:12 The Passion Translation)
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Cor. 6:12 Christian Standard Bible)
Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power. (1 Cor. 6:12 Amplified Classic Bible)
Note: The word permissible/legal has the idea of what is right, appropriate, acceptable or common in the eyes of the public or to the culture (think about that….that’s deep!)
So you’re free, what does that mean for you? For many of us, it means making choices how we see fit, without permission or explanation. For others, it means living life without boundaries, limitation, and/or restraint. We may all see a different picture when we hear the word freedom. The more important thing than freedom itself is to understand the reasons for which we are free. This level of understanding stems from knowing your purpose, and the assignments connected to it. This level of understanding requires maturity. Liberty should always be used in worthy and sensible ways. The greatest level of freedom is being able to walk in what belongs to you. You must know what belongs to you.
I love the story of king David – so many strong life lessons. In 1 Samuel 24, we find David in a precarious situation. David was in the middle of the pit and the palace – a thing called process. He had been on the run from King Saul, who was on an unrelenting man hunt to find and kill David. In this chapter, we see that David’s whereabouts had been exposed and he finds himself in the same cave as an unaware Saul. David had a choice to make: do the permissible thing (kill Saul), or the responsible thing (trust God to take care of Saul). We see David tempted to do the permissible thing. So much so that he cut a corner of Saul’s robe to prove to Saul that he had an advantage over him.
David could have done the permissible thing – the permissible thing that his friends urged him to do. David was a skilled man of war, who killed the Philistine giant (Goliath) that king Saul was afraid to kill. David could have taken out king Saul at any moment and he would have been justified in his actions. But David chose to do the responsible and purposeful thing. David understood that vengeance does not belong to him but to the Lord. He also understood what belonged to him. He had already been anointed to be the next king, he just had yet to take the throne! His time had not yet come to sit on the throne. While God had removed his spirit from Saul, he had not yet moved him off of the throne of Israel. David knew that the throne belonged to him. He didn’t have to abuse his freedom by forcing what was not yet ready for him. He operated with responsibility. David understood his purpose, his promise to be king, and his current assignments. He was uncompromised by the idea of freedom. Instead, he was led with responsibility that stemmed from his promise and his purpose. Responsibility understands boundaries. Responsibility understands what is yours to do and what is God’s to do. David did his work and let God do His – freedom and responsibility working in tandem to bring to pass the promises of God.
When a prisoner is released, society’s hope and expectation is that they use their freedom to be a responsible citizen who contributes to the productivity of said society. God expects the same. He sacrificed his son to free us. The honorable response to freedom is responsibility. I encourage you today to hold yourself accountable to use your freedom in a way that does not re-enslave you, but on the contrary, partners with God to push his glorious promises into the earth. You can only hold yourself accountable to what you are aware of. Spend time today seeking God’s face concerning your purpose and assignments.
REFLECT & RESPOND
As we hang in the balance between freedom and responsibility, here are some things to consider:
What is your purpose? I recently heard this questions asked in a different way that struck me to more core: What have you been called to redeem?What part of your process are you in?
Where have you shifted your focus from what you should be doing (responsibility), to what you can do (freedom)?
Where have you begun to take things into your own hands, instead of trusting the God who gifted you with freedom, to do what is His to do?
What do you worry about, obsesses about, overthink, stress over or run from?
What things do you feel you can do better or faster than God?
What areas do you (or are you willing to) accept mediocrity (aka settle for less than)? Be honest.
In what areas do you struggle with moderation, modesty or self-control?
PRAY
God, I recognize that operating as a responsible free person requires spiritual maturity. I ask that you would stretch me, water me, and grow me into the person I need to be in order to steward my freedom in a responsible way and truly fulfill every purpose your have established for me. Help me to be able to discern now from next, and to move, think and live accordingly. Fill me with your spirit and lead me in the way of righteousness. Help me to always move in step with you. Help me to understand that pace is just as important as the promise. Grant me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. Keep my heart pure in the process.
Amen.
