(Galatians 5:1 NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Christianity is a question of living freely, not a question of forcing others to live by my rules. Jesus came to set us free from all this bondage that others put on us, and yes, even we put it upon ourselves.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating the fine art of chaotic living. There need to be societal rules, laws. When you’re dealing with the things of the world you need to address those laws and abide by them if they don’t contradict your faith in God.
What I’m talking about is relaxing into your Christian walk and enjoying the freedom that God has given you. It’s the freedom to quit sinning. It’s also the freedom to realize that everyone sins and it’s not a big deal to God.
God isn’t some old man sitting in heaven with a stick waiting to play smack the sinner. He’s a loving father who carefully watches what we do so he can help us grow up and become like him. Graceful and loving.
Fortunately he’s a good dad and gives us the freedom to make mistakes. You do realize that sin is just a spiritual mistake, right?
By giving us this freedom he allows us to learn for ourselves that his ‘rules’ aren’t like other rules. They were designed to give us the best possible life experience that’s available.
While it may seem at times that riotous living is a cool lifestyle it really isn’t. Those who indulge themselves by violating the ‘rules’ God has given us eventually find out that they feel empty, bored, or depressed.
It’s like when we go to one of those family outings and end up eating a lot of sweets. Oh they go down real nice but they don’t sustain you very well. Often they end up giving you a stomach ache and other symptoms that aren’t very nice.
Sin is fun. Ask anyone in Vegas! Sin will consume us, though, if we bask in its glorious light for very long. It’s up to you. God has given you the choice to follow whatever path you want. He’s also given you the instructions that it is bondage and that you’re free (if you’re a Christian).
It’s all about choices.
technorati tags:grace, choice, freedom, lifestyle, christianity, chaos
