The Conservative Liberal

Not only do we hear much about change in the current political campaign, there are other terms thrown about. The terms "conservative" and "liberal" are frequently tossed about to describe political parties. In truth, each party has its conservative and liberal elements. Religion is no different.

The term "conservative" has at its root the idea of "conserving," or "using less." Being conservative, by its definition, means knowing what the boundaries are and staying within them. In a financial sense, they know there is so much and do not go beyond what they have. In a social sense, there are issues based on core principles that are not to be challenged. Thus, life is precious and abortion is seen as going beyond the bounds for it kills such life.

On the other hand, being liberal means to go beyond the boundaries. In a political sense, liberals will spend what they have to in order to meet some lofty goal they have set, regardless of whether they have the means to pay for it or not. Everybody is entitled to certain "endowments" whether financial or social and regardless of whatever principles have to be violated to achieve those entitlements. In a political sense, being liberal is often reckless and allows much sin to become "law."

Christians understand that they are conservative as it pertains to scripture. We cannot go beyond what is written and must abide by what has been revealed (Galatians 1:8-10; Revelation 22:18-19.) Whatever has been revealed by God relating to salvation, the church, worship, Christian practices, and such like are to be followed. In organized religion today, there is too much liberal thinking that goes beyond what is written so as to make their practices religious law. There is only one Bible and it doesn't say different things. We must stay on message.

But at the same time, Christians do have their liberal side when it comes to what they do. When Christians find something in God's word they excel at taking such a practice to the max. When saints read about not lying (Colossians 3:9,) they excel at telling the truth. They read about singing and they excel at singing from the heart (Ephesians 5:19.) When needs arise, they will go beyond their ability to meet the need. So we read of the Macedonians, "for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and extreme poverty have overflowed in the riches of their liberality" (II Corinthians 8:2.) Sometimes Christians are so busy being conservative that they forget to embrace and excel at living a Christian life. To be sure, not being conservative has led to religious division and confusion. But not being liberal enough in our practice has led to some stuffy and dead churches. Follow the pattern and do not go beyond it but excel at following it.