Freedom and Responsibility

 The word apologize has been heard a lot lately in the news. I guess there are times when we all misspeak, use bad judgment or the wrong expression in a particular contextual setting. We live in an age when our words can be flashed on facebook, various media outlets and internet sites in a moments notice.

 The Scriptures says a lot about guarding our tongues, the destructive capacity of the tongue can be a fire of great destruction. “It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.”(James 3:5-6)

 The tongue can be like an Arizona wild fire. In an environment of free speech there must be responsible caution. It is a blessing to live in a country where we have freedom of speech. Yet, this freedom comes with great responsibility and judgment. In addition to our societal freedom, as Christians we are called to a higher standard of behavior and personal expression. We are living witnesses for Jesus to a world that desperately needs God’s grace.

 When Jesus died on the cross, he apologized to God for the behavior of his executioners. The scripture says, “Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!” (Luke 23:34-35)

There are times we don’t know what we are doing. We need to always walk in the spirit of grace and humility. During this month of July, let us reflect on the freedom we have in our country and the freedom we have in Christ, while remembering the sacrificial acts that have made this possible. We must graciously humble ourselves in this role of responsibility and service to all.

Blessings to all of God’s servants,

Pastor Eldrick