“It is right not to eat meat, or drink wine, or to do anything that makes your brother stumble. The faith you have you should keep between yourself and God, for you are blessed if you have no reason to judge yourself for what you approve.”

One thing which seems very prevalent in the churches today, and which is very grievous to our God, is the all too frequent desire to impose rules and regulations on the brethren which have no place in the scriptures. In fact they so often impact severely on the “glorious liberty of the children of God”. (Rom 8:21); that liberty which was purchased for us at such a very high price by the Lord Jesus on Calvary!

Sadly, as is so often the case, we, the brethren, allow others to impose the laws on us, despite the fact that we are told clearly not to allow this to happen. We read in Gal 5:1,“Christ has set us free that we may be truly free, do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Remember the four simple commands laid down in Acts 15:28-29, and the words of the Lord Jesus in John 8;31-32 “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” And once again in John 8:36,“If the Son sets you free, then you are indeed free.”

While it is true that we must not allow others to impose man made rules on us, nevertheless, it is vital to also remember that the Master requires us to submit to his authority in those who are in leadership. The all important thing here is for each of us for us to rely on our God and to “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths“. (Pro 3:5) Trust him to cause us to recognise what is of him and what is not of him. He told us in John 7:17 that if anyone’s will is to do God’s will, then they will know if a teaching, a rule, a command is from God or man’s own mind. WHAT GLORIOUS LIBERTY!!