Sometimes we have to make sure that our American mindset doesn't cloud our Biblical worldview. Americans know their rights and insist upon them. They are weary of government intrusions on personal liberty. That is a normal part of our republic. But in the church, we should be happy to give up our rights for the sake of Christ. The strong should not flaunt their liberty in Christ to the detriment of weaker believers, who may be influenced to violate their consciences. The apostle Paul tells stronger believers that love for their brothers should trump their use of liberty. "For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died." (Romans 14:15) Individual Christians can disagree over customs and social habits and both be perfectly right with God. There are many areas that the Bible does not address or where it allows liberty of conscience. In the church, we are to accept and not judge one another when we differ on matters where the Bible does not give specific commandments or applicable principles. Our main focus should not be on our liberty or our rights, but on loving our brother. Love gladly yields its rights when it is necessary to keep a weaker brother from stumbling. Your sacrifice of some liberty is nothing compared to Christ's sacrifice of His very life! "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
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David Bodanza is the pastor of Mission of Grace Church in Westborough, Massachusetts. He is also a practicing lawyer. He holds an M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a J.D. from New England School of Law. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, four...
