One Aspect of Christianity With Absolutely No Freedom

Here I am sharing the Gospel with a large intimidating man
on a street in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
sometime in Nov or Dec of 2012

Without a doubt there is absolute freedom for the Believer in Christ. There is no list of rules to follow found in Scripture in order to be "Christian." Paul tells us, in 1Cor 14:32 that prophecy is subject to the Prophets, and I take this to mean that prophets (be them preachers or those who have a "word from God") are not expected to be perfectly accurate all the time. Paul also tells us that all things are permissible even though not all things are helpful. 1Cor 6:12 1Cor 10:23 Here he speaks of eating & drinking and doing things. It is a correction of legalism that some would burden Believers with.

There is however one thing that is not lawful, or permissible. There is one thing that all Christians are commanded to do and which must be done exactly correctly without exception. What is it? The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have seen Gal 1:6-9 quoted by many people for various reasons. I do my best to obey the Text and consider any who bring any other gospel than that which Paul and the Apostles received directly from Christ Himself 1Cor 15:1-11 as accursed. BUT, there is more to do with this passage than simply apply it to other people. We ought to be warned ourselves.

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Long ago I knew my life would be about the Gospel. I desired to be used of God to announce, defend, and instruct the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I have matured past finger pointing I have begun to realize that every time I preach the Gospel I do not have any freedom as to the content of the message. What about you?