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Freedom and Responsibility

"Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat . . . [and] each will give an account of himself to God."¹

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of England, said, "I remember being taught by my parents, from my earliest childhood, that the one thing about being British was you did not have to be told what to do. You rose to your responsibilities and took the initiative. Religious belief played a fundamental part in shaping that character because, whether you take the Old Testament or the New Testament, it puts the emphasis on the dignity and responsibility of the individual. You are accountable because you have freedom."

We, too, have freedom which is a priceless privilege. However, some people seem to think they can use their freedom to do as they please both before man and God. As such they are not free but are in bondage to their own selfishness, passions, and lust. They confuse liberty with license forgetting that the price of freedom is still eternal vigilance, which includes moral and ethical responsibility. Ultimately, if we continue to abuse our freedom and privileges, we will lose them.

With freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility, accountability. We are accountable to our fellow man and above all we are accountable to God. As God's word says, "For we must all stand before God's judgment seat." And again, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live that I will always act responsibly, that my life will always bring glory to your name, and that I will not be ashamed when I stand before you face to face. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Romans 14:10, 12 (NIV).
2. Hebrews 9:27.

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