The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-23
Liberty and Love.

ny the service it requires.
In regard to law of God governing
us In our relations to himself no other
liberty than that of obedience will be de-
sired by those who love him. In regard
to divine law governing us in our re-
latlons to each other there should be the
same spirit of obedience. In regard to
any law not clearly of divine authority,
about which the judgments of brethren
differ, there must be forbearance in love.
Each one may assert and exercise his
rights and liberties of judgment and con-
science, but he must not presume to be
judgment and conscience for all his
brethren. 1t is in this way good men
sometimes make much unnecessary
trouble for themselves and others.
Love is an essential element of our re-
ligion, as is also liberty within defined
bounds. While there is much in it of the
nature of positive law it has never been
to the extent OF taking away all freedom
in the exercise of individual Judgment
and will in the service of God. In the
New Testament this freedom has been
very much enlarged. The cumbrous
ritual has passed away in the fulfllment
OF the law in Christ. By the removal of
the burdensome ceremonial much more
has been left to the spiritual Judgment
and prudence of the children of God.
This larger liberty is not without law.
The freedom of judgment allowed does
not leave us without restraint. Deliver
ance from the latter does not release us of
the obligation to keep the spirit of the
law of service. The Individual does not
stand alone in his relation to God, but
with others in the Church of Jesus
Christ. Wisdom and spiritual insight
are therefore needed, not only to discern
personal right and privilege but what is
tor the common good. No one may seek
his own irrespective of anothers welfare.
Many things may be lawful which are
not, i'm given cases, expedient. Herein
is where the law of love is to operate.
Love seeks the edifcation of all
Whether it is power or privilege, the
Master has given it to us for ediGcation,
and has made individual privilege subor-
dlnate to the common welfare. "All
things are lawful for me, but all things
are not ,expedient; all things are lawful
tor me- but all things edify not" said the
Apostle IN regard to the exercise of his
Christian privilege, and under this gene
raj principle he would, for sake of others
whose conscience would be offended by
his exercise of his rightful liberty, deny
himself daily as long as he would live.
This rule Of love is law to the in
dividual conscience. The strong ought
to bear the infrmities of the weak, and
not seek solely or supremely to please
themselves. Let every one of us please
his neighbor for his good to edifcation.
The Apostle placed the special gifts of
the Spirit in subsection to the law of
edifcation. This spirit of self denial is
essential to true discipleship, and enters
into every part of the spiritual life. 1t
belongs to the mind of Christ, that
should be in every one that is called by
his name.
This law of love seeking the edifcation
OF the bod y of Christ, regulates the use
of liberty, but does not destroy it. 1t is
a guide to the individual conscience, but
may not be inspired by the will of an
other, or be demanded by the conscience of
another. For that would be destructive |
OF freedom, and convert liberty into bond |
age. The Apostle was ready to yield |
voluntary obedience to the ceremonial |
law In certain case, out of Difference to
the sentiment of his countrymen, but
when it was demanded that he should do
this as part of Gods law he would not
give place by subsection for a single
hour. Spiritual liberty will not allow
loves service to be made an oppressive
law
There can be no definite rule given for
the extent to which personal privilege
should be yielded in Difference to the
will and convictions of others beyond
this the things that make for peace
and whereby we may edify another"
When diversity of sentiment arises, the |
law of love and forbearance rests
equally upon all, and should constrain
each to seek to edify the other. The |
degree to which such yielding is asked
should itself be reasonable, and the yield |
ing of the exercise of personal privilege
should be in such form as not to infringe
upon the freedom Of the conscience. We |
must seek to edify proftably.
For this we must need the presence of
the Spirit Of Christ. He that is spiritual
can judge rightly in these things That
which we need above all things else, at
the present time, and at all times, is the |
indwelling and power of Holy Spirit,
that we may be filed with the knowledge |
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
L., H.