“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

1 Corinthians 10:23


Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

1 Peter 2:16

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13

Freedom is an ideal worth upholding. We know that protecting the right of expression is the only way we can see positive change, even Biblically harmonious change. Imagine if Christians were defending the status quo instead of fighting against the injustices of slavery or the oppression of women. Actually, you don’t have to imagine that at all! It happened!

It was only through freedom that Christians were able to work for greater freedom for others. If we do that in our interactions with the world, how much more should we do it within the Lord’s church? I’m not saying being permissive of sin: I’m saying to obey Scripture and give Christians the freedom we all enjoy under Grace in order to do the work of the Lord.

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Romans 14:4

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill… But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 1:15,18a

We must, must, must value our own character and integrity. Each one can examine himself and seek to understand his own motivations. This includes not only our attitudes toward sin and the world but toward fellow Christians! Am I sincere in all ways at all times? Or do I see the freedom of Christ as an opportunity for self-advancement, for validation and a license to judge others?

Jesus said it best. A person who has been forgiven of their sins judging others is like a man who has been granted forgiveness on his millions of dollars in debt going out and shaking down a guy who owes him a thousand bucks (Matthew 18). Who are you to judge another’s servant? Handle your own responsibilities toward God. He will call each and every one to account. Make sure you’re ready.

Ethan Kirl