My pastor tonight at church (Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, CT) made a great point. He was talking about how we have liberty through Christ, and yet sometimes we think that means we can do whatever we want. Well, that would be like a fish, who is made to swim in water, feeling like he would like to have the freedom to be out of the water, and onto the beach. So he jumps out of the safety of the water where he was designed to live, and goes on the sand. Was that the best thing for that fish? Of course not. It's destructive. God's laws, instructions and commandments are for our good, and following His will ensures safety and freedom to be who we were meant to be. God is not withholding from us when we live within God's design and instructions; He is blessing us. We are in essence refusing and pushing away His blessings, protection, and best for us when we go our own way in the name of "liberty" and "freedom", denying His plan and instruction from His Word for our lives.
Galatians 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Here is an example of some of the instructions God has given us:
Ephesians 4:1-6 King James Version (KJV)
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
