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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Does anyone have a right to tell you what you can or can’t do? After all, it’s your body – your life. Shouldn’t you be able to decide what you do with it and when?
The idea of personal choice and freedom runs strong throughout our society and that’s fine as long as everyone is willing to accept the personal responsibility that is an inseparable part of freedom of choice. Many of you are at an age where you have more freedom to choose and less guidance and supervision of those choices than ever before, to your great delight and your parents’ fright. Your desire to make more of your own decisions stems from confidence in your own abilities and an assertion of self-identity. Your parents desire to help stems from the realization that at this point in life you have an ever-increasing amount of information to base decisions on but very little practical experience in making them. The reality being that many of the decisions you make right now – both good and bad – will bless or hurt you for the rest of your life. That’s why it is so very important for you to be careful in the decisions you make, who you become involved with and who you take advice from. (Check out Proverbs 15:22 & 1 Kings 22:5)
Where are you going to go to school? Are you going to seriously study or just have a good time? Who will you hang out with – where will you go – what will you do? Are you going to smoke or drink? Will you experiment with drugs and have sex? Will you flunk out, be arrested, get sick, become pregnant – even die? You must be aware of the pitfalls as well as the possibilities to live an effective – productive life. There is a lot to be gained but a lot to lose as well, and it’s not just you who will be affected. Very little, if anything you do will impact only you. Whether you want to admit it or not, what you do involves other people; either those you do it with, those you do it to or those who inevitably have to come in and clean up the mess by paying the bills, bailing you out, helping you raise a child or grieving your loss.
But even if that weren’t the case – someone else can and does make a claim on your life and lifestyle. For indeed, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 For, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 Which was brought about by, “…Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness…” “While we were still sinners,…” ! “…to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:14 & Romans 5:8 Therefore we will be held accountable for what we do or don’t do while in the body here on earth. (Matthew 16:27, Rom. 2:6,2 Corinthians 5:10)
So maybe the question should be: Do you have any responsibility to listen to the advice of others or to conform in any way? Is it your body, your choice – and yours alone? Those answering yes would probably also believe: ‘If it feels good – do it! As long as it doesn’t hurt – or involve – anyone else (which is never the case) try it! It’s nobody’s business what I do, why I do it or who I do it with!’ Society doing everything it can to convince us that ‘to conform is to die!’ And our Bible supports such a statement, but not the way many prefer. Paul admonishes us to, “…not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, (which exerts an almost overwhelming influence on us to do just that) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (See also 1 Peter 1:14) Christ demanding that we be different – not for the sake of different-ness but for the purpose of being an example of righteousness. In not conforming to the world’s standards, which arise from our sin nature’s inclination to express itself in selfishness and is based on our cravings for self-satisfaction, lust of possessions and boastfulness in what we have done and what we have (1 John 2:15,16); we are to renew our minds, refresh our spirits and remake our beings in the gospel of Christ and obedience to his way. (2 Corinthians 5:17) To rebel against the world!
You owe a great deal of appreciation to any number of people and have a responsibility to act accordingly. Your parents have invested a lot in you – not just money – but hours of transporting you here and there, giving up time that could have been spent on themselves; enduring long nights when you’ve been ill or upset and countless hours spent in prayer over concerns for your life. Your church; its pastor and teachers in particular, have spent time, effort and emotional energy to prepare you to live as a Christian as well. Your response will either be in thanks and honor for all they’ve done or indifference and ingratitude of it all. More than that though, you owe your life – its possibilities and realities – to Christ; in thanksgiving and appreciation for the promise of heaven and his abiding love, grace and provision here on earth. Realizing that any real wisdom we possess is proved right by our actions and their impact on those about us. (Matthew 11:19)
Paul declared that, “Each one should test his own actions.” Galatians 6:4 Not by the accomplishments of others or by anyone else’s standards, nor by our own preferences and desires. We should have a standard above any set by man that encourages us to be better and to do more; something that compels us to go above and beyond our own inclinations. (2 Corinthians 5:14) That standard and attitude being the one exemplified by Christ, who was willing to submit in obedience to God’s will to bring glory to his name and salvation to all men. Yet even in denying himself for the sake of God’s plan and man’s need, he ultimately was able to reclaim heaven as his throne and home. (Philippians 2:5-11)
We must not be like those who, “…claim to know God, but by their actions… deny him.” Titus 1:16 It does matter what you do, who you do it with and why you do it. We must rebel, but against the world! We must conform to God’s word! And the place to start is by submitting your mind, soul and body; surrendering fully to God for His purposes and pleasure.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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