Mistaking Liberty For License

( On Grace )

By Christian Wismer Ruth

(EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK, “TEMPTATIONS PECULIAR TO THE SANCTIFIED,” 1928,

[Emph. added])

A NOTHER TEMPTATION peculiar to the sanctified life, is that of mistaking liberty for license. Human nature, like the pendulum of a clock, is inclined to swing from one extreme to the other. Having been in bondage and enslaved by sin for so long a time, and now suddenly emerging into liberty, and the perfect freedom of the Spirit, there is need of CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS, lest this liberty should be used as “an occasion to the flesh.”

There is liberty always to do anything and everything that is right, and pure, and holy; but this must not be mistaken for license to do anything that is doubtful, sinful or unholy. Irreverence, undue familiarity, insubordination, lightness, foolishness, inordinate affection, tending to free-loveism — all these things are the temptations and devices of Satan, in order to destroy the souls of men.

TO ‘LOVE’ TOO MUCH IS JUST AS FATAL TO SPIRITUAL LIFE, AS NOT LOVING ENOUGH. ♣