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Big Questions

Community, Freedom & Love

Posted by John Sommerville on

After months at home things are starting to open up. Some of you are thinking, “it’s about time.” While others, for good reason, are more cautious. That means that even within City Church, we may be in very different places.

Some believe that the precautions suggested by our leaders are overly restrictive. And others think they’re not being cautious enough. Who’s right? Without full information it’s difficult to know. That means that you may be right and your friend wrong. But it also might be that you are wrong and your friend is right. It helpful to be humble in times like these.

What that can we do to resolve these differences? First, it’s important to understand how we’re to relate to those in authority over us. Paul makes it clear, in Romans 13, that our political leaders have been placed in authority over us by God and we are to show them honor and respect. That means we’re to cooperate with them even if asked to do something we believe is unnecessary. For this reason, when we begin meeting in-person, we intend to comply with public health guidelines regarding social distancing, masks and restrictions on singing.

But what about the personal? We shouldn’t be surprised that there are differences within our church community on how to handle the risks posed by COVID-19. It’s understandable since this is an evolving situation with no clear consensus on how to proceed. Which is why we must do all we can to show respect and give grace to one another even if we land in different places on these issues. Paul once wrote (Romans 14) some Christians who were divided by a disagreement about whether or not to eat meat. The particulars of that debate aren’t important but the principles Paul laid out are. Paul said it was good that both sides had their personal convictions. But he asked that they not force their personal views on one another. Respect each other, he said. Even more, practice love. That means that at times we will need to set aside a personal preference for the good of another.

Paul believed that the freedom we have in Christ is not something to be used for selfish purposes, but used to love and serve others. He even went as far as to say that when we try to impose our personal convictions on others, we are no longer acting in love. In other words, any freedom we have is primarily a freedom to love and care for others, rather than a freedom from restraint in order to do what we want.

We often frame the discussion of freedom in terms of rights. But the Bible more often points out our responsibilities. And our highest responsibility is that of putting the needs of others, their health and safety, above our own. “Love,” Paul wrote, “does not insist on its own way.” (1 Cor. 13:5)

We live in a country more divided that it has been in some time. But the church of Jesus Christ must be united, thinking first of what it means to love and serve our neighbor. Again, the words of Paul: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  (Ephesians 4:2-3)

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