Be a Steward with Your Liberty.
When a Christian has the audacity to abuse the privilege of grace for a moment of pleasure, that man or woman ought to think wisely about the actions given forth. "But man isn't perfect" —that's a lousy excuse since we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
Brethren, We are called to be set apart. We are called to be holy. So, our liberty should be displayed with a sense of thankfulness and not a manner of vain futility.
How are we called to live?
Well, that's a good question considering that our very deeds are worthless rags apart from the enablement of the Holy Spirit. So a deeper picture would acknowledge that by our Faith in God as Christ as our example and the enablement of the Spirit, we are called to by heart, mind, and strength to heed the totality of His Word and to walk in a manner fervent in prayer, patient in affliction, and eyes fixed on God. Day by day, second by second, abiding in Him.
By this, a man or woman who acknowledges God walks with a sense of character.
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV
May we truly realize that we do have a duty. The reality is we will sin, but our responsibility is to be set apart.
"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"
I Peter 1:15-16 NKJV
Cling to Christ, repent daily, and be encouraged in the race set before you.
In Christ's love,
CJ