The Weekly Epistle 11/11/20

Thank God for our freedom!  Thank God for those who have served our country and fought for freedom.  Veterans sacrificed.  All selflessly gave, but some gave their lives.  
 
Thank God for our ultimate freedom.  Thank God that we have been set free from the penalty and power of sin.  Christ sacrificed perfectly.  Christ was the essence of selflessness.  
 
What about freedom?  Freedom is not the right to do whatever we want, it is the power to do what we ought to do.  The truth is, to do whatever we want to do often leads to bondage rather than freedom.   Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we were called to freedom, but that we shouldn’t use our freedom as opportunity for the flesh but to serve one another in love.  Is that how you view freedom?  Are you using your freedom to love and serve others?
 
What does that look like?  Here are some questions for us to answer, especially in the times we live.  
  Can you disagree agreeably?  
  Can you give up a right for the sake of someone else?  
  In your exercise of your freedom does it cause someone else to stumble?
  In the exercise of your freedom is it hurtful to another believer?
  Is my attitude one of acceptance for another believer who believes differently than me on a gray issue?  
 
I would encourage you to read through Romans 14 very slowly!  Romans 14:13 has this to say, “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s (or sister’s) way.”  Verse 19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.”  
 
Church, our issues today are not around eating meat or drinking or observing the Sabbath, as Paul references in Romans 14.  But the principles are the same.  Let me make it even more appropriate to our times.  Apply this to our political views.  Apply this to our feelings around wearing masks or not wearing masks.  Apply this to those who hold to different opinions of what we should or should not do during this pandemic.  I know it is not easy to keep our heads in it when we do not know what to believe and when society places their confidence in science.  
 
But I have not wavered in calling us to unity.  I speak to myself in urging you to display hope and peace when all around us people are on edge.  The task to reach lost souls with the good news of Christ and to commit to building up His church here at EBC remain to be our clear instructions given by our Lord!  And aren’t the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas central to our faith as we give thanks for all things?  And as we celebrate the One born to save us from our sins, who is with us and for us! 
 
With mixed emotions I need to inform you that the leadership has decided to cancel the Christmas Extravaganza this year.  There is some reluctance in this decision but believe that a large gathering in one space for that period of time is not looking at the best interests of the flock under our care.  Our witness also factored in our decision.  
 
Christmas, of course, isn’t cancelled.  So, look for ways to make 2020 Christmas celebration special this year!  
 
Blessings to you, Pastor Brian