Liberty Versus License by David Jeremiah

Wednesday, November 30

Liberty Versus License 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 
Philippians 4:8 

Recommended Reading 1 Peter 2:15-16

Parents teach children about boundaries: moral, ethical, legal, courtesy, and safety boundaries. Boundaries are established because of man’s propensity to sin: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Fortunately, the boundaries that surround what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy are huge—seemingly limitless.

We can spend a lifetime pursuing things that are pleasing to God without running out of options. The danger is the heart: The heart wants to turn liberty into license. The heart says, “I’m free to do what I want!” But God says, “You’re free to do what I want.” And once we realize how big that freedom is, it’s hard to want anything more.

Don’t confuse liberty in Christ with license for carnality. A lot of things are possible in life that are not edifying or wise (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Freedom is not the right to do as you please; it is the liberty to do as you ought.
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