Great Freedoms Come Great Responsibility

America is the home of the free because of the and is my home. This is the only land I can imagine calling my home but with that said, with great freedom comes great responsibility. Responsibility is something that many people have a hard time with which is why the Apostle Paul taught us that just because we can do something does not mean that we should: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

This is one reason why Christ teaches us self-discipline in nearly every aspect of our work here on Earth. We have so many freedoms and are able to do so much but not everything that we can do is good for us. In America, we have freedoms and are privilege beyond what most people know and our poorest are in better situations than most other countries that are doing well. This is an aspect that so many Americans take for granted, myself includes, but scripture teaches us that no person is entitled to anything except for the saints who have accepted Christ: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat”
–2 Thessalonians 3:10

This is not a rule that applies to just Americans but to all people. Sadly, however, the majority of the complaints and the entitlement mindset comes from Americans and while we typically think of the millennials as complaining the most—and there is a lot of truth to this—it a combination of many people of different age groups that make up the problem. In other words, not just one age group is to blame for the growing attitude of being entitled.

There are many lessons that we learn from Paul including that our Savior is a gentleman. Paul teaches us that we were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)—the life of Christ—so we are not our own which means, we honor God with our decisions (1 Corinthians 6:19). While I am not the type of person that believes its wrong for a person to have one or two adult drinks, most people are unable to stop at just one or two. Personally, I have had relationships strained, ruined, and/or destroyed because of what giving into the temptations of such beverages usually leads to.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
–1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think about the relationship with your significant other or your marriage. One of the biggest reasons why I do not have female friends is I respect my relationship much more than I do anything that could come from another female relationship and I would never do anything to disrespect my significant other or to jeopardize the relationship. A little flirting or teasing with someone else is not innocent fun even if the other person is not around and its these small decisions that have the biggest impact on our lives but it’s also the small things that Satan uses to exploit us.

This letter is not coming from someone who believes they are exempt from sin nor do I believe that I am holier than anyone. A gentleman tried to suggest I have such an attitude because of my belief in scripture and by quoting it which is absurd as I am the Christian that knows I fall short of God’s glory but because I have been forgiven by Christ, I have another opportunity in my walk with Christ here below. Because of all that I have been through here below, I know that I need Christ every day of my life and at every second of every day.

The same is true for us all. Despite what we have done wrong, we can move forward with our lives knowing that God has forgiven us. No longer do we have to look back, there is no time for this, and by learning from our mistakes, we are able to ve forward and help spread the Word of God throughout the nation and the world and while freedom is what every person desires—thanks to the price paid by Christ and the sacrifices made by many Americans, those who have it must take our responsibilities seriously as the smallest decision can have an eternal impact on our lives.