Simply put, liberty or freedom means to engage without restraint. Each of us, though all created equal, is different in every way. This is especially true of our relationship with Christ. Some of us in our Christian walk are able to tread where others of us are not. Usually I find the degrees of liberty have a lot to do with our callings. For instance, Paul of Taurus was called to widespread ministry and was, therefore, instilled with a massive amount of liberty, for he himself said in 1 Cor. 9:22. I become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. You can't win souls if you lack the ability to get down on their level. So how was Paul able to do this and not sin against God? Simple. Paul had no doubt or mental restriction regarding his actions. Now while I'm sure he didn't dabble in vulgar language or course jesting, etc., in order to fit in with the sinner's crowd, he was able to lay himself down in such a way that they were able to understand and relate to.

Jesus was the same way. How else did He dine with tax collectors and sinners and win them over? Matt.9:12-13. Those who are well have no need of a physician but rather those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And they must have been having a pretty good time at that table because even the pharisees began to complain of Jesus's behavior, asking His disciples, "How is it that this Teacher of good is able to successfully associate with such scoundrels?"

Unfortunately, this misunderstood liberty still exists within the church today. And what a shame for Jesus specifically stated in Matthew 7:1 not to judge others if you do not wish to be judged by others. Take me for instance. How I behave personally is a far cry from how some of the characters in my books behave. And some people may even wonder how I can write about such things and still call myself a Christian. Well, that's easy. Like Paul and many other Christians, though my 'personal' life is safeguarded by certain restrictions, my 'writing' life has been granted some measure of excess.

So how do we know when we've crossed the line and when we haven't? It's probably best explained this way. Any time you feel hesitation over something you are about to do or say, etc., then you had better back off from it. That tiny prompting could be the Holy Spirit warning you that you are in danger of trespassing in an area that is off limits to you, regardless if it's okay for someone else. Remember, just as our callings differ from one another, so do our degrees in liberty.