A debate over the issue of dictating individual freedom through the use of liquor has caused confusion in the minds of the public and innocent people. Besides, the statement given by Christian brothers one advocating the curse of using wine (alcohol) and the other advocating benefits and blessings of its use has left in doubts as to who is right because both statements are supported by the word of God. It has created a sort of mockery in the eye of the non-Christian.
Dictionary defines freedom as power or right of every individual person. Rousseau says, "Man is born free but chained everywhere." It speaks of liberty or freedom of every individual at the time of birth. Yet eventually after he is born into a family or society he has to exercise his freedom with limit. If one exercises his freedom without limit, the right of the other person who live next to him is curtailed. Refraining one's freedom gives space for others to exercise his right thereby creating peace and harmony in the society. Man is made different from animals, in that, man restrains his freedom for the good of other person whereas animals have no such civic sense of control. The use of individual freedom without restrain brings chaos and confusion in the family and society.
The word of God speaks of the right use of Christian freedom. The Bible warns every Christian to be careful in using Christian freedom. In the New Testament, the issue over eating and drinking of food offered to idols by the idol worshippers invited Paul to write on the right use of Christian freedom. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14: 23)." Here Paul speaks of Christian freedom with limitation: the freedom which is not only between man but between God and man. Freedom may give a person the right to make reasonable use of alcohol. But if a person believes his action to be wrong and yet still defies his conscience, he is guilty of sin. Christian principle of freedom is based on inner conviction between God and man. On acceptance of Christ as his personal savior he is identified with Christ through forgiveness of sin. It is a covenant with God accepting Christ as his Lord and master and to be true to Him in his daily habit of eating and drinking. Christ becomes all in all in his life.
A person's way of living which affects or causes his brother to fall is considered a terrible sin as man is designed to live for the good of others and for upholding in the faith. Thus, the Lord warns, "be careful however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak brother (1 Cor. 8:9)." In order to teach the disciples, Jesus took a child and taught them with a warning, "but if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large milestone hung around his neck to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Math. 18: 6). Every believer is supposed to be a model before his children and fellow friends. It is the responsibility of every mature believer to be the 'keeper' rather than mislead a brother who may be weaker than him. God does not desire that we use our freedom solely to please ourselves because to one's pleasure may be a death poison to a weaker brother. A Christian's principle in using freedom should be marked by consideration of its members for each other.
Rev. K. Luruo
State Chaplain
Nagaland Legislative Assembly
