It's Time to Grow Up (as explained by an orthodox rebel)

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not beneficial. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. Let no man seek his own, but every man [seek] another's well-being." I Cor. 10.23-24

Christian liberty is not meant for ourselves, a fact we too often miss. If after salvation your attitude is, "I am free from the law and the wrath of God, so now I can do what I please," then you have yet to grasp the Christ-like life. There was no drop of selfishness in that Great-Heart, and the life that lives for itself (even in the name of "Christian liberty") is a selfish life, immature and in need of God's hard hand to knock the adolescent arrogance out of it. Understand, that though we are not enslaved to others, we are enslaved to Christ, bought with a price (I Cor. 7:22-23), and the Christ-like life lays down His life for others, for their benefit and edification and even the salvation of their souls (I Cor. 10:33).

It is not about us anymore. It never was. That is the hard yet beautiful truth. All of our misery (globally, nationally, corporately, communally, relationally, and individually) comes whenever we make everything about our self: our wishes, wants, desires, preferences, opinions, prejudices, biases, cleverness, and good intentions. The self-centered life, no matter how pious, is the Devil's playground. Real freedom and real life are only found when we acknowledge and accept the fact that everything is not about us and never will be about us. It is about God: His kingdom, His glory, and His great works that he has done. Get this straight: we belong to Him, and He did not free us from Sin so that we might live for ourselves. He set us free to be His Body and His presence in the here-and-now, and to save a people unto Himself so that he may present them spotless unto Himself, and to let His goodness be good to us so that we might show forth His praises (I Pet. 2:9) in the hope that some might hear and be saved. It's time to grow up, children. Finish with yourself so that you might find true life in Christ (Matt. 10:39).

-Jon Vowell (c) 2012