Acts 16:1, 3-5 NIV“Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. https://bible.com/bible/111/act.16.3-5.NIV
In the previous chapter of Acts, a controversy of significance occurred between Jewish and Gentile believers. The controversy was over how much of the Old Testament law New Testament believers were obligated to follow. The conclusion Paul preached and wrote was for the Church to avoid sexual immorality. Yet immediately following this controversy, Paul circumcises Timothy, the very thing the Jewish Christians wanted in the first place, rather than deferring to the decision made by the Apostles. Why? We are free in Christ from the law before Christ, but this freedom is for obeying God and helping others do the same. This freedom allows us to follow the law to win those under the law while allowing us to ignore the law, but not the law of love for Jesus and obedience to His commands, among those who have no law. Biblical freedom is not the blessing of God to do as we please but the power of God to do as needed for winning and discipling people. We are free from man-made religion for appeasing God since God Himself pleased God on behalf of man and appropriates to all men who love Him His perfect righteousness. This freedom is for obeying Christ in Spirit and Truth, for we have been purchased by Christ’s blood; we are now His slaves, His servants to do His will in the world. We are free from our sinful nature to live according to the Spirit. Biblical freedom is never wanton self-serving permission to gratify our flesh. Biblical freedom is power and permission to obey God in all ways that help all men come to believe and obey Jesus as Lord and Savior of the world.
