With freedom comes responsibility. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5:13). Freedom carries responsibility toward others, especially brothers and sisters in the faith. In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul argues that we have a responsibility to curb our freedom for the sake of others. He concludes, “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God” (1Cor 10:32). We have a responsibility to live in such a way that we do not cause others to be drawn into sin or to act contrary to their own conscience. Freedom does not mean that I can do whatever I want without consideration of how it affects others. My actions always have implications for others. As one who is free in Christ, I am responsible to consider how my words and actions will affect others. Will it draw them to Christ or draw them away from him? Freedom is not freedom without responsibility.
Free carries not only responsibility toward others, but also
toward God. 1Peter 2:16 warns, “Live as
free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants
of God.” Freedom means freedom to serve God and others, not freedom to indulge
self. Freedom is not freedom to sin. It is not freedom to harm others. It is
not freedom to offend. It is not freedom to thumb our noses at God and do evil.
It is freedom to serve. It is freedom to live in relationship. Freedom is
always freedom with responsibility.
In fact freedom is not freedom without responsibility.
Freedom without responsibility leaves devastation, brokenness, and pain in its
wake. Freedom without responsibility leaves emptiness, loneliness, and hurt.
Freedom is not freedom without responsibility for it enslaves all those around
us to our whims and desires. Freedom without responsibility is slavery.
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