The Christian and the Use of Christian Freedom

Friday, March 14, 2025

Theme: "The Christian and the Use of Christian Freedom."

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

19. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself servant to all, that I might win the many. 20. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those under the law, as under the law (though I myself am not under the law), that I might win those under the law; 21. To those outside the law, as outside the law (though I am not outside the law of God, but under the law of Christ), that I might win those outside the law. 22. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

Let us remember:

Paul teaches us that our Christian freedom must be flexible. It must be able to take a temporary form to win as many members as possible to the cause of Christ. Before pagans, if we appear saints, they will have no need of us because we are not like them. But if we descend to their level of understanding, to better win them, it will be possible to accomplish our mission. To better study the moon, we must send an astronaut there. To better study the bottom of the sea, we must send a diver there. This does not mean that we must become pagans to win a pagan. Rather, we must simply be compassionate and tolerant. To Peter, the Spirit of God said: "And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat'" (Acts 7:1). These were the inedible reptiles that God wanted Peter to eat. Peter's morality consisted of going out and preaching to the pagans instead of rejecting them. However, the other apostles wanted to exclude him for being with the pagans. But Peter lovingly reframed them, in accordance with the new order inspired by Christ. Let us take the freedom to go to the pagans to show them another way of life that is contrary to their own. It is about bringing them the gospel of Christ. Therefore, Christian freedom must be manageable to have the capacity to seek out the lost sheep. Let us not be rigid, otherwise we must create a special world of Christians. Excellent Friday and good start to the weekend. Amen.

Alain Louz.-