LIBERTY’S LIMITS

Rev Mike Jones, Lebanon FWB Church

            I have traveled over much of the world and I can tell you today that America is still the envy of the world. The world does not envy our crime or our corruption but they long for the Liberty that allows Americans greater privileges and pleasures than any other place on this earth. The freedom that Americans enjoy which allows us to travel as we please, to speak our minds (even as mindlessly as some speak!), and to pursue the “great American dream” of success is the constant “magnet” that draws people from all over the world to America.

            The problems that have developed in America in recent years have mainly come from our failure to recognize that this great Liberty we enjoy comes with limitations.         

            Liberty must recognize its responsibility- 1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  In the same way that you can not playfully yell “fire” in a crowded theater, we must realize that Liberty comes with responsibilities. My Liberty to swing my arm ends where your nose begins. 

            Liberty must not be used as a pretext to cover wickedness- 1 Pet 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Liberty is not a license to do wrong. You have the liberty to choose whatever bank you desire but you do not have the liberty to rob that bank. You have the liberty to reject Christianity but that should not mean you exclude Christianity from others. 

            Liberty must have a concern for others- Gal 5:13 14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
        Note how often God repeated this Guideline in Scripture- James 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Mark 12:31 And the second {great commandment} is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

            Liberty must be Preserved- Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Satan is out to capture and control you. Jesus came to set the Captives free (Luke 4:18). The job of a Christian is to do their job until there is no longer a need for that job. That means doing whatever it takes to defend our liberty in Christ. 

            Satan became Satan because he rejected the limits to his liberty set by God. When you declare that Liberty has no limits then you declare you are god and nothing or no one should restrict you. What utter chaos would exist in the world if everyone lived as if Liberty had no limits. Can you see why the world is in such trouble today?