Saturday, July 26, 2014

Selfless Liberty

"Almost every contemporary proposal to bring freedom into the church is simply a proposal to bring tyranny into the world" (G.K. Chesterton)
Theoretical argument says these liberties are not sins, but God says what ever is not of faith is sin. The person who proceeds without faith is a sinner. So blind faith is not faith at all. Faith is acting on principles we understand by living our life in the fear of God. Accordingly, we should not live for ideals outside God's revealed Word. These things weigh us down, make us tired for the race.

Extra-Biblical liberties are almost always about things, more doing, more about ourselves, evenly nobly enough, about what we are accomplishing in God's kingdom. We can die for others, cast out devils, and end world hunger, but we must do these things with His heart and His permission. Any arbitrary human use of power is cruelty. People are either enchanted or disgusted by it. In either case, no one is free from serving themselves.

The kingdom of heaven flourishes when men lay their lives down. Forgiveness moved by love is the chief power of the church, the ministry of reconciliation.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things pass away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).
It is ludicrous to invent superior ideals for God's church. Forgiveness requires humility. Only when we see God, are we humbled. Humility does not demand liberty, rather it pursues the fulfillment of God promises. God has all glory whether or not we give it to Him. But we can share that glory. He is the glory in the church and the church finds glory in obeying her head.

2 comments:

  1. " glory in obeying" - sweet thought and sweeter yet in practice

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  2. Dear Sister MB. Hello, this is Kinuko, a Japanese head covering woman! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving me such a kind comment.

    Wow, excellent and profound article! I have read this post several times in order to really digest the depths of its message.

    "Almost every contemporary proposal to bring freedom into the church is simply a proposal to bring tyranny into the world". Yes, that's very true.

    "Only when we see God, are we humbled. Humility does not demand liberty, rather it pursues the fulfillment of God promises...He is the glory in the church and the church finds glory in obeying her head."

    Humility does not demand liberty, yes, you are right. This remark reminds of the humble Apostle (Paul) who called himself 'a bondservant of Christ". "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more" (1 Cor 9:19).

    I could sense your deep faith in Christ through this essay. May God bless you and your husband richly.
    from your fellow pilgrim, Kinuko

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