25 AUGUST

BE THE MASTER NOT THE MASTERED

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—

but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—

but I will not be mastered by anything.”

(1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV)

“Free! Free! He who the Son of man sets free is free indeed!”

“Emmanuel thought his freedom gave him the right to do as he pleased. He was a cook and felt so free that he drove out his boss’s car, without asking for permission or even letting him know he could drive. He felt it was right to take the car out and return more quickly than public transport, so he could make lunch. Unfortunately, the car stopped on the way and his boss came home while he was still struggling to it home. He lost his job and his boss lost a good cook”.

Freedom has boundaries.

Freedom is a mark of Christianity – freedom from sin and guilt, freedom to use and enjoy all the good things God has given us for life and godliness. Yes, we have the right to do a lot of things but are all beneficial? Like Emmanuel, the cook, we must not abuse this freedom; else there will be attendant consequences on ourselves and others.

Food and drinks are good, as they make us healthy; but excess food is gluttony, which may lead to obesity and make us unhealthy. Some Christians cannot fast for twelve hours.

Sex is good but God made it for marriage only. Some cannot do without sex, which leads them into fornication and adultery.

There are many other practical, everyday examples. However, the point is that we must not allow even the good things and the gifts of God to turn into a bad habit that masters us. We must be the masters!

ACTION: Examine your life for areas where you are abusing the freedom, blessings and privileges you have in Christ. Repent, where necessary.

PRAYER: Lord, please, help me to exercise self-control in all my activities and interactions, so that I can be the master, and not the mastered.