Liberty

All things are lawful…1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23

We are free in Christ. Paul explains this spiritual truth in his letters to the churches. 

Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 9:1: Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?

Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

This freedom we enjoy in Christ is very different from what the world is selling under the label of “free spirit.” Too many parents are raising their children to be free spirit. That is, independent and uninhibited; a person who thinks and acts without worrying about normal social rules. They want their children to grow up and make their own choices; be a nonconformist, a free spirit. While bad things happen to all kinds of people, danger seems to follow these worldly free spirits.

Paul explains the difference. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any, 1 Corinthians 6:12. Paul will repeat this in chapter 10, verse 23: All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. In other words, Paul will not allow his freedom in Christ to hinder another Christians walk. This does not enter the mind of a free spirit of the world. Perhaps they should listen to what God says through Paul: but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Therein lies the secret. Being a free spirit often means the person is under the control of things they do not see nor understand. They think they are free, when in fact, they are hedonists. The pleasures they seek will not satisfy their longings. They will only intensify their desire for more. They have been brought under the power of their own sense of freedom.