"Adorn The Doctrine Of God Our Savior In All Things"  

Titus 2:10

 

     We proclaim with tenacity the believer's absolute freedom from the law. We are not children of bondage. And we refuse, because God requires us to refuse, to be brought into bondage to any religious custom, tradition, or rule invented by men (Read Col. 2:16-23). In Christ we are free. "Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty." That is glorious! But the time has come for us to give attention to the rest of Galatians 5:13. "Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; ONLY USE NOT LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH, BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER." There are some things more important than the exercise of our liberty.

     THE GLORY OF CHRIST is more important than my indulgence in any liberty he has given me. THE NEEDS AND OPINIONS OF MY BRETHREN, ESPECIALLY MY WEAK BRETHREN, are more important than my freedom to say, do, or use anything, be it ever so innocent or indifferent. THE SALVATION OF SINNERS is more important than the exercise of my personal liberty. And THE HONOR OF THE GOSPEL is more important than the indulgence of any freedom I may have to use this world without abus- ing it. May God give me grace, and give you grace, to govern our actions, our speech, and our attitutdes by these things. Neither say, nor do, anything before men that might ill-serve the cause of Christ's glory, offend his people, keep sinners from hearing the gospel, or mar the beauty of the gospel in the eyes of others.

    We practice restraint in all other areas of life. Why not here? There are many things I discuss with my wife,which I would not discuss before my daughter, many things I might say to an adult that I would not say to a child, and a few things I do in private that I would not think about doing in front of anyone. To behave otherwise would be crude, rude, offensive, and foolish.

     LET US TAKE GREAT CARE THAT, IN ALL MATTERS OF OUTWARD APPEARANCE, WE ADORN THE DOCTRINE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR BEFORE MEN. We must take care that we do not give the enemies of God an occasion to blaspheme, offend any of those dear saints for whom Christ died, or place a stumbling block before any sinner. As much as possible, be all things to all men, accomodate yourself to the weaknesses of others, and seek the good of others. Use your liberty. Do not abuse it.

 

Don Fortner