Using Our Liberty

"Everything bad they (the ungodly) can seize hold of in our life is twisted against Christ and His teaching. The result is that by our fault God's sacred name is exposed to insult. The more closely we see ourselves being watched by our enemies, the more intent we should be to avoid their slander, so that their ill-will strengthens us in the desire to do well." ~John Calvin

This can be so true, and it doesn't necessarily just apply to our "enemies". Most of us probably don't have anyone we consider an "enemy", and to be honest I don't think that's what Calvin is talking about here. I think his point is that we are surrounded by people who don't know Christ, and are watching every move we make, wondering what makes us different from the next so called "religious" person. We have the ability, by our words and actions, to either bring glory to Christ, or to live in such a way that we give our real enemy, Satan, ammunition to use against us in non-believer's lives. This has been a real challenge to me on how I use my liberty. Based on the above quote from Calvin, Jerry Bridges writes:

"Therefore as believers, we should seek to be exemplary in every aspect of our lives, doing our best for the sake of Christ and His gospel. Our work, our play, our driving, our shopping should all be done with a view that not only will unbelievers have nothing bad to say, but on the contrary, they will be attracted to the gospel they see at work in our lives."

"All things (that are not sinful) are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor."
1 Corinthians 10:23 & 24

"...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh..." Galatians 5:13

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:12