I have been reflecting
lately on the practice of Christian freedom. It is both highly prized by Paul
and misunderstood by millions since Paul. On both ends of a spectrum of
understanding, it cannot mean the freedom to do whatever I want on one end and
demanding that others see things the way I do on the other end. The
understanding and practice of Christian freedom is between these two
polarities. This is precisely because it brings into tension my free will and
the free will of others. It brings together my singular will and my communal
responsibilities. This is why it is so hard to conceptualize, discuss in a
civil way, and even to put into practice. Allow me to offer a few suggestions
on this vital topic.
First, Christian freedom allows me to
say “no” to something, not because of a legalistic requirement, but because of
brotherly love and agape. Paul indicates that if I “grieve” someone because I
choose to exercise my freedom and flaunt it in that person’s face, then I am
“no longer walking in love” (Romans 14:15). I see this as a universal Pauline
principle for fellowship: whatever my Christian freedom allows me to do, it
must do so in the posture of “walking in love.”
Second, believe it or not, there are
some priorities and values in the kingdom higher than Christian freedom. Conscience issues and making someone stumble
have to be uppermost in my mind. Guess what some of those priorities are?
According to Paul, they are our pursuit of “what makes for peace and for mutual
up-building”(Romans 14:19).
Third,
whatever position we take on an issue because of our Christian freedom to do
so, whether we engage in something or refrain from it, we do so to honor the
Lord, and we give thanks to God at the same time (Romans 14:6). Each one of us
has to give an account of ourselves to God in the end (Romans 14:12), so we
must allow each person to work their own personal freedom out with the Lord.
Fourth, in
exercising our Christian freedom, we
need to remember that the apostle Paul
admonishes us not to despise the one who
cannot share our freedom of choice (Romans 14:3). It is so tempting to look
down upon and despise someone who is not at our place of understanding. Neither
despising nor passing judgment on others is our Christian duty toward one
another. We have to learn how to be
responsibly free with our Christian freedom.
Application
for Transformational Leadership…many times leaders have had
more experiences and greater insights to Christian freedom. Consequently, they
may feel more “liberated” and not as bound to many of the traditions among
which they lead and serve. However, the four things mentioned above have
tremendous implications for Christian leaders who intentionally want to
function as transformational leaders.
Some things we say “no” to
regarding our own practices and personal preferences precisely because we know
we are leading others who not as mature and would be offended or hurt by our
practice of freedom. The principle of “walking in love” applies to everything
we do in our servant-leadership capacity. We are sensitive to others’
consciences. We must allow those we serve the space to work out their own
issues. And, we must not look down upon or reject others because they are not
where we are in their understanding and practice.
May God grant us wisdom as
we seek to individually live out our Christian freedom in the collective body
of Christ that is filled with others also trying to understand and work out
their own Christian freedom. May we always “walk in love” and pursue “what
makes for peace and mutual up-building.”
In Christian love, Curtis
