Have you ever truly thought about the freedom you have in Christ juxtaposed against the freedoms you had before you knew Him? Many people proclaim that they don't want to have anything to do with Christianity because there are too many rules and they don't want someone telling them what they can and cannot do. Oh, how mistaken they are!

We are told in Galatians 5:1:

"It was for freedom the Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."

You and I, as believers in Christ are free to do many things that maybe some would say we can not do. The gray areas in life, if you will. Yet we do not live under or answer to the personal convictions of others. Christ did not say "follow Christians," He said, "Follow Me."

That being said, what do you do with the freedoms that you have in Christ? If you are over the age of 21, you may buy alcohol and tobacco. You not only have the freedom to buy them, but you have the freedom to consume them. We as believers have the freedom to listen to secular music, watch movies and TV shows some people would consider unworthy or not for them. As I began thinking about this, I began to think of what Paul said to the church at Corinth in his 1st letter to them.

1 Cor 10:23:

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."

I want to challenge our way of thinking, and not just out thinking, but our actions. Before we make decisions to do or say something, let us ask ourselves...does this profit the advancement of the Gospel? Secondly, let's ask ourselves, does this edify those around me? If you have to hesitate in answering either of these questions, may I suggest taking a step back before you do or say what you were planning on doing or saying!

To know Him and to make Him known. This is what we should strive for with our lives. As we do so, let us not ruin our witness because we've chosen to do or say something that is not profitable or does not edify.