Christain Freedom

Imagine you were Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR. These days, he was subjected to unprecedented pressure from the public for receiving advantages from tycoon friends. In a Legislative Council meeting, he was drilled mercilessly for more than an hour. He offered an apology for damaging the image of the public servants of Hong Kong, but stopped short of admitting his faults. As a Catholic and having the good habit of going to Church every morning before returning to his office, Donald must feel very much consoled this morning in hearing the reading from the Epistle to the Romans. Let me quote the reading in length.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies;
who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? (Romans 8:31-34)
Catholics and Christians believe that God has put a conscience in our soul, a small voice within us to tell us the right from wrong and passes judgment on our wrong doings. So, can a Catholic or a Christian appeal to his own conscience to justify his behaviours? Can he ignore public decrial?

Though trained a Pharisee, St. Paul is responsible for playing down the importance of keeping the rituals (Laws) in order to attain justification. The spirit is more important and flexible than the letters, especially because man has a tendency to play safe and interpret the letters of the Law literally. In short, St. Paul advocates Christians' freedom from the Law, because the Spirit is like the wind and blows where it wills. The Holy Spirit is a guarantee of Christian salvation. God puts the Holy Spirit into the hearts of Christians as a down payment for their salvation. Therefore, Christians are men of the Spirit and free from the Law. They only need to listen to the advice from their conscience and act accordingly. God is their judge. You and me are unable to judge whether a Catholic has or has not followed his conscience. Only God knows.

Has Donald been greedy? Is it wrong for him to receive advantages from tycoon friends? I cannot judge because those are his friends. We need an ICAC to collect evidence to prove that those friends have received favouritism in their businesses as a result of their amiable connection with Donald. I can only say that it is imprudent of Donald to receive hospitality in his present position no matter how free he is in Christ. His freedom is not absolute and he must pay a price when he is not prudent enough. If his subordinates are imprisoned for receiving advantages but he is not, then it violates the principle of justice. People demand greater integrity from the man occupying the top job.

Let's return to read more carefully Paul's passage.
If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31b)
How do you know that God is for you? Simply by being a Catholic or Christian?
Let us read on.
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? (Romans 8:33a)
Are you sure you are God's elect? How do you know you are God's elect? What does it mean to be God's elect? Simply by being baptized as a Catholic or Christian?
I don't think I can provide you with an answer. Search for yourself what "God's elect" means in the Epistle to the Romans. All I can say is that the passage must be read in context.

Even when we read the text out of context, we should remember what God has done for us all.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all (Romans 8:32a).
We should remember how much God has loved us. Remember what Jesus said in the gospel of John. He is in the Father and the Father is in him (John 17:21). He and his Father are one (John 10:30, 17:11, 22). Therefore, when God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, God Himself was unimaginably involved in this sacrifice. This sacrifice is for all, not just for the elected. So, what about the elected?
The elected are those who have listened to the gospel, repented, made God the core of their life and lead their life accordingly: "Poor in spirit ... mourn ... meek ... hunger for justice ... merciful ... pure in heart ... peace makers ... persecuted ..." (Matthew 5:3-10).
According to the text of the Romans, God will not condemn the elected. Rather, He would justify them, make them blameless. Christ will intercede for them when they suffer. Therefore, if Donald has a clear conscience. Be patient. Keep your hope in Christ. He will pray for you and the Father will justify you.

Dear Lord,  I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. May Your mercy uplift me on my feet and proceed ahead. Amen.