Now I want us to think about the principles of Christian liberties, found in Paul’s epistles, with regards to those who parade their freedoms on social media. While it’s true that we cannot know anyone’s specific motives with certainty, there is a common motive and that is to flaunt Christian liberties in front of whom they consider as narrow-minded or legalistic friends, family members or other Christians. It’s hard to come up with any positive motive and, at best, one could possibly claim that they are ignorant to what is being portrayed. No matter what, there is no gospel advancement through this kind of flaunting for who would ever look upon it and think: “Look how great Christ is! Wow, I am so convicted of my sin and now I clearly see my need for a Savior!” There’s not a chance those thoughts would follow the demonstration of a Christian boasting in his or her freedoms.
Are you in bondage to your liberties?
Moreover, all we have to do is run it through the principles that we picked up from 1 Cor. 10 and Rom. 14. Does it build up others and seek their good or draw attention to oneself and boast in one’s flesh? Does it take into consideration others’ consciences? Does it give glory to God or does it offend others? Does it despise or judge others, while thinking that we can make ourselves stand instead of depending on the Lord? Does it demonstrate that a love for others rules us and that we greatly fear doing something that might hinder the progress of the faith in another or even cause them to sin by blowing past their internal alarm mechanism?
Those are the questions we must be asking and things we must be putting into practice if we are to glorify God in all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31).