Christian Liberties

[its_brad]

In your culture, what changes are needed in the area of Christian liberties?

[park714]

In your culture, what changes are needed in the area of Christian liberties?
I am a Korean. Our culture had been strongly influenced by Confucian ideas and I think that we, koreans, are prone to be legalistic. Many Korean christians have some difficulty to deal with the Law versus grace of God becasue of the cultural influence. We have a lot of do lists and are a little shy away from freedom in Christ. Many Korean chiristians are more emphasis in christian ethics and behavior rather than the transformation of our heart. Confucian teaching itself is not bad, but there is no transformation of our nature and character like Christianity. If we are free from some of Confucian teaching, we as christians could enjoy Christian liberty.

[Schmiedc]

For many years I have studied the NT diligently and have been a regular teacher and lay preacher. In Romans the question is always now that I am justified what do I do? In other words how am I to behave? Of course some things are obvious but then there are those practices that are not.

This is where we have to pay close attention to the real intent of Christian liberty. Specifically some things are OK for us but are harmful to a weaker brother or set a bad example. Drinking alcohol and smoking tend to fall into this category. Some Christians argue that both of these practices are OK. Of course medical evidence would suggest otherwise. However, the real problem with both is the negative influence they have on others not to mention undermining our own witness. For this reason these practices should be avoided.

We are at liberty to do what we want but wisdom suggests that somethings are best avoided!

[Schmiedc]

You don't have to be Korean or be influenced by Confucius to have a problem with legalism.

Romans of course is a book about grace. We all know that the law can't save us but simply makes us aware of our sins which motivates us to accept Christ as our savior. Since the beginning this has seemd too easy. After all Christ did all the work and all we have to do is believe and we are saved. It can't be that easy can it?

Of course it is not that easy. James in his Epistle points out that if we truly have saving faith we will naturally want to do good works. The order is what is important. First we are saved and then good works naturally follow. Any notion that we can be saved by our own efforts is false and heretical. We all know this in our head but the heart keeps telling us this is too easy!