July 27 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Parents regulate all things for their young children. But when children grow up, they have to make their own decisions. In fact, a big part of education is teaching children to make their own decisions.

Compared with Old Testament times, New Testament believers have to make many decisions for themselves. God treats us like growing children. God has made us free, and Christians must learn to use their freedom responsibly. We may not force each other to a certain kind of behavior in areas in which God has given us freedom.

Many church members want the ruling bodies of the church to make their decisions for them. And some unwise pastors and church assemblies attempt to enforce rules that the Lord has not laid down. Christians must stand in their freedom, and church leaders may not demand more than the Scriptures.

We are never free, however, to forget the Lord. God is our judge. This we must constantly remember. We must live in such a way that our conscience convinces us that God approves of our actions. We are never free to disobey. Freedom is curbed by obedience.

Freedom is also tempered by love. When we decide what we will do and what we will not do, we need to consider not only our personal responsibility toward God but also our responsibility toward our fellow Christians. Our actions may never become harmful to others—by example or by challenge.

Our main obligation toward the fellowship of the church is to make others stronger. Our concern for fellow believers must be so strong that we are willing to give up certain rights. Why? Because love for fellow believers is more important than the rights of any individual.

We need wisdom if we are to grow up as free and mature Christians. We need to keep in mind all the principles: God alone is our judge. His will is the only law. Christian freedom may not be violated. Love is the greatest.

REFLECTIONS

Try applying the principles mentioned above to a specific issue involving Christian freedom that you (or your church or denomination) are facing.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.