Snared By Those Who Are "Right!"

Freedom does not exist where one refuses to exercise the freedom possessed. When I think of the slavery having existed in the United States and the human trafficking (slavery) still existing today, I can't find it acceptable to give my approval or willingly offer myself or my family in participation. If not for the chains and locked doors, I suspect none of the slaves would continue in their current condition and yet as Christians we seem profess contentment in our bondage to others.

When considering the plight of "free" Christians, the chains and locked doors are graciously accepted and we continue in our bondage daily. The primary reason I believe we find acceptance to bondage within the Christian family is based on the transformation achieved or currently taking place in our lives. When we replace the sinful nature of man with an understanding of Christ's nature and begin the transformation in our lives to look like our Savior, we accept and choose to be responsible to the characteristics of His nature. We choose to be loving and compassionate. We choose the servant attitude and make a deliberate choice to place the needs of others ahead of our own lives. As a Christian, we face an almost constant struggle to meet the ideal description given by the apostle Paul when he says, "it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."

Our life as a Christian can easily become one of a paradox between what is supposed to be, as planned by God, and who we are supposed be when we choose to be Christ living today. It is this paradox I believe Paul addresses in Romans 14 when the Spirit leads Paul to address the stumbling block we are capable of placing before others. Effectively, Paul discusses how Christians, failing to escape the selfish desires of their own life, carelessly trap others devoted to living the life of Christ in their lives. Yes, our carelessness in declaring what is right or wrong in the lives of other Christians will spring the paradox (trap) of Christianity on our brothers and sisters. We throw down the stumbling block and cast the snare of compassion and love. Now, the once free Christian, finds themselves in the paradoxical position of being free in Christ and yet confined by the nature of compassion and love as they are faced with the choice of exercising their freedom or placing the wishes and "well-being" of other brothers and sisters ahead of their own freedom. Not originally placed here, I have to consider verse 22 of the chapter, "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves" and conclude how exercising ones freedom in Christ could actually be an act of condemnation once the snare has sprung!

Snared by love and the decision to live a Christian life, the only choice seems to be the acceptance of our bondage and yet the acceptance of bondage only leads to a continued bondage for future generations. Yes, as we accept our bondage we set the snare to trap other unsuspecting Christians who, "guided in paths of righteousness for his name's sake," will be walking "through the valley of the shadow of death."

Not wishing to leave the reader in a seemingly hopeless position of simply accepting the bondage placed upon us, I will offer a solution I believe offers hope to those ensnared and the future generations of those who would be enslaved with this paradox of desiring to live the Christian life. Those, responsible for setting the snare must choose to release those ensnared! Those who have taken up the "mantle" of leadership must do everything they can within their abilities to promote verses 17 and 18 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."

In other words, being Christ to the world with love of everyone and especially to our own brothers and sisters, will be pleasing to God and definitely approved by those not currently members of God's family. I fully believe Paul tells us to take great satisfaction in knowing others who want to praise and honor God and that the "rightness" in this decision far outweighs the methods employed in praise and worship of our master.

Brothers and sisters, let us not be guilty of ensnaring those around us because we think it necessary to speak for God and create a list of sins for those things God did not address when defining the sinful nature of man but instead take care to lock our snares or what is "right for us" to remain locked away from those who might not see it our way.