Does freedom mean life without restriction?
Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Text: “‘Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.'” Matthew 7:13-14.
How can we connect the teachings of the Bible with our daily life; or in other words, how can we make the theory of the Holy Scriptures become practical reality? If we understand the inspired words correctly then the principle will be coupled with action and the idea with attitude. Let just one issue be clarified this time through this mediation.
CONFRONTATION, DECISION, SOLUTION, AND WHO WILL BE PROVED RIGHT AT THE END?
Life constantly confronts us to decide, and to prove this consider how many advisors, counselors, experts, and specialists offer their services to help us to make the right decision. This is not new; the Bible constantly challenges us to make the right selection and come to the right conclusion. Just a few examples:
– “. . . I have set before you life and death . . . therefore choose life . . .” Deuteronomy 30:19. See also our text, Levit. 10:10, and Hebrews 5:14.
– “. . . ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.'” I Kings 18:21.
– “‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other . . .'” Matthew 6:24.
– “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons. You cannot partake of the able of the Lord and the table of the demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21.
IN OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS WE ARE DEFINITELY INFLUENCED BY WHAT WE SEE, HEAR, AND EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS BY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.
1. We live in a FREE COUNTRY and we are proud of it. Many of us cherish this gift and privilege and consider it an important treasure for which we are willing to make sacrifices. We are constantly vigilant not to lose this precious heritage.
But what is one of the obvious consequences of freedom? THE MORE FREEDOM we enjoy, THE MORE POSSIBILITIES will become available. In the armed services you must go where you are sent but in the civil life you may go wherever you please.
2. Freedom is practiced in many ways, even in our thinking too, and we call it LIBERALISM. (It is not our role to compare the LIBERAL and CONSERVATIVE views.)
We know from practice that THE MORE LIBERAL we become, THE MORE PERMISSIVE our policies will be. We do not have to elaborate on the destructive consequences of the permissive philosophy, namely, do whatever you want to do just do not get caught!
3. THE MORE DEVELOPED OUR INDUSTRY and economy are, the more affluent our society is, and therefore THE BIGGER THE VARIETY and selections are. How hard is it to decide which is the right house or car to purchase? Advertisements and salesmen will let us know which is the best buy. (At least according to their opinions.)
4. THE MORE DEMOCRATIC our society is THE MORE PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE in the decision making process. We have committees, board of directors, trustees, councils, representatives, elections and all of these make it impossible that a dictator could push a nation around. Our Constitution guarantees that those whom the people have elected will be the leaders.
5. Now, please, put all these together, we like MORE FREEDOM, PERMISSIVENESS, VARIETY, and AUTHORITY to make decisions, however, if all these are granted will the majority come to the RIGHT DECISION WITHOUT DELAY AND DISAGREEMENT? Here is one of the great secrets of life, namely you are not always going to have THE BEST RESULT using the MOST POPULAR PROCEDURE. We cannot have our cake and eat it too! Please try to satisfy everybody while you agree with everyone! It is very difficult to do.
Now, please, go back to the Bible and see BETWEEN WHAT, and HOW, and FOR WHAT PURPOSE God wants us to decide. Let us pray that we will see the real issue and the right procedure so we can reach the best goal available. The Bible has a timely warning: “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence.” Galatians 5:13.