The Trouble with Free Will - 1 Corinthians 10:23

1 Corinthians 10:23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. (NIV)

            The trouble with both free will and liberty is that we begin to believe there are no boundaries or limits to what we can think, say, or do. We insist on having our own way and protest if anyone infringes on our rights. We govern ourselves and will not let anyone impose restrictions on what we desire to do and woe betide anyone who says otherwise. However, the unintended result is that we end up with a fragmented society where individualism is idolized and social justice is marginalized. We look after number one and everyone else can look after themselves.

            That may be the way our society is going, but if apply the moniker ‘Christian’ to our lives, then we live under the sovereignty of God, so our selfish behavior places us under His judgment. This is why Paul emphasized the need to reflect on our conduct. No matter what we do or what rights we think we have, as Christians our deeds should always be accompanied by two questions: Is this beneficial? Is this constructive?

            Far too often, we see the religious zeal of Christianity which insists on getting its own way and doing its own thing, no matter how unbeneficial or unhelpful it may be. The rest of society looks on us with disdain and wonder why we’ve disconnected ourselves to the Founder of our faith, especially when we omit to show compassion, love, or grace. We can insist on being right instead of being kind, but all we will do is circle our wagons, build a wall, and enclose ourselves in a pit of our own making which will eventually destroy our effectiveness as disciples of Christ and missionaries of His Word.

            So, the challenge that we have before us is this: whatever I seek to say or do today, I need to ask two things as a Christian, living under the sovereignty of God and not my own personal morality: Is this beneficial? Is this constructive?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, remind us that we serve You and not ourselves. Keep us from allowing pride or contempt to overrule our compassion and love. Retell us the story of how Your grace has been applied to our lives and help us to share it selflessly with others. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give some feedback on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s holiday drawings called “Liberty Roses.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Roses.

Special devotion: Babs - Serving Others

Revelation 15:3           They sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.”

            Of all the titles that are given to people on Earth by God, the word ‘servant’ is the most honorific. To serve God and to serve others in this life are wonderful gifts, and for those of us who have been the recipients of true service, the blessings are many.

            My mother-in-law, Barbara Smith, was such a person. She truly served her family all of her life. She looked after her ageing parents on a daily basis and her sense of duty toward them was both humbling and amazing to see. Babs cared extensively for her mom when she was dying of cancer; and she looked after her father lovingly each day when he became a widower. She did his laundry, cooked his meals, and looked after his medication without any real complaints. She was tired, weary, and exhausted at times because she had a full time job, as well as looking after her own family, but she always served her Dad respectfully and dutifully.

            Babs was also an excellent wife to Bill. She looked after everything for him, and devoted much of her life to serving him. Like most of their generation, Bill and Babs had their struggles. Their firstborn son John died of leukemia as an infant, which must have been a terrible heartache for both of them. However, in the midst of their pain and loss, they stayed together and raised three more children – Evelyn, Billy, and David – who were constantly loved and served by Babs. Whatever they wanted, she provided. Whatever support they needed, she gave. Her role as matriarch to her own family was built upon her decades of service that she sacrificially bestowed upon them as wife and mother. As expected, she cared deeply for Bill, especially in his later years when he was suffering from dementia. She served him as well as any wife could, right up until the time when he required full professional care.

            When grandchildren came into her life, Babs opened her heart and home for all of them. She was proud of each and every one of them. As usual, she served them fully with love and care, food and friendship. In her later years, after decades of working as a home help in the community, she devoted her retirement to all of her family. She lived for them because she loved them; she served them because cherished them.

            As her son-in-law, Babs and I had a good relationship. She allowed and welcomed me into her family life, as she did for Jacqueline, her daughter-in-law. We did have our moments, but overall I felt very fortunate to have someone as caring as Babs in my own life. When I lived with her Dad for two years, I also was well looked after. Her home cooking and wonderful baking were amazing. Her homemade tripe soup and coconut cake were the best I've ever tasted.

            Tragedy revisited Babs when her youngest son David died suddenly a couple of years ago. Her heartache at losing two sons in this life must have deeply wounded her emotionally, but she still continued on, living her life for the rest of her family. She truly was a remarkable woman.

            Her faith in God was severely tested throughout her life, however she remained a servant of His Kingdom despite the struggles and pain that she endured. She has now gone beyond the surly bonds of Earth into the eternal realms of Heaven, to be reunited with all of her loved ones, whom she served dutifully and beautifully in this world. As I stated before, there is no greater honorific title on Earth than to be called a servant by God. Babs exemplified that title with her own sacrificial life. The beauty about her is this: I see those same gifts and qualities in the life of her daughter Evelyn, who is my wife, as well as in the lives of my daughters Lynsey and Lauren.

May God bless you all this day; and may He also give us opportunities to serve our loved ones and others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

John Stuart is pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question of today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.