Christian freedom is lived out in the ordinary. It is not a concept that is relegated to that nebulous realm of “god-talk” and “Christian-eze” so popular in the church. When some speak or sing of Christian freedom, they often refer to some unspecified region on their insides that somehow feels better because they are now a Christian. That is hopefully true. But, what I think they are really talking about is forgiveness – the “blessed assurance” - which admittedly, is a precursor of freedom, but not entirely what the Scriptures had in view.
When Jesus said these words: “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed,” John 8:36, it was shortly after He had forgiven a woman caught in adultery. This produced a spirited debate with the Pharisees – the keepers of lists.
When Paul wrote these words in Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery,” he was aiming, just as Jesus was aiming, at the law of lists.
Both of these passages place freedom in juxtaposition against a list of rules and regulations which were so burdensome that most people could not even remember them, let alone keep them. So, while Christian freedom is certainly an inward experience, the practical outworking of Christian freedom is expressed by how we live out our lives. The law was expressed by an outward conformity to rules and regulations. Christian freedom is expressed by spontaneity of actions that are Spirit-led, moment by moment. Sometimes this exercise of freedom requires great courage and great faith because the keepers of lists still draw air and they are willing and ready to pounce on one walking in freedom.
Let’s re-group for a moment so that I am not misunderstood. The writers of the New Testament are attempting to stretch our minds and hearts with a new concept that dwarfs the dusty and stifling life of list-keeping. In writing to Titus, just after berating once more the list-givers, Paul says to Titus, “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled,” Titus 1:15. There is a freedom of movement deposited within the Christian that is nothing less than a life lived without lists. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to understand and exercise this freedom.
Christians who desire lists do so for a couple of reasons: 1) To give themselves a checklist against which they can measure themselves against others; and, 2) To press the limits of that list as far they can. That is human nature. The person desiring these lists may or may not be cognizant of these two reasons. If they are not, there is still a preservation of innocence and some hope for their eventual freedom. If they are, then their hearts are truly darkened and they are on the wrong side of Jesus.
Many Christian leaders and many churches are terrified of freedom because they have witnessed so much heartache and abuse when freedom is misused. That is understandable. But, to throw out the tenor of the entire New Testament by creating rules of behavior, in Paul’s words, “nullifies the gospel” and makes one “accursed.” Thus, if we are to err, we should always err on the side of freedom.
Now – is there bad behavior among Christians? Yes. Are there abuses of freedom? Yes. Is this pleasing to God? No. Or, as Paul would say, “God forbid!” How does God enact this freedom that many find so dangerous and, in their minds, irresponsible?
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul gives us a simple, straightforward answer. As we read what he says, we have to pay special attention to the order in which he phrases his words. Listen to this: “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires (lusts) of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16. Again, note the order. The mistake the church has made time and again is to reverse the order so it reads: “Don’t carry out the desires (lusts) of the flesh and you will be walking in the Spirit.” In other words, if you do this, this, and this – you will be a Spirit-filled Christian. It is a game of spiritual addition.
It doesn’t work that way. God’s Spirit is not meant to come upon us after we have fulfilled a list of do’s and don’ts. God’s Spirit is the prelude to a life well-lived – always. Our lists will always fall short of His righteous demands and the excesses of love, forgiveness, generosity, creativity and mercy that He asks us to demonstrate. To use a base analogy – He fills our tank before He asks us to drive. To do the opposite leaves us in the driveway making pretend car noises.
And, don’t forget this – the Spirit’s first name is Holy. The Holy Spirit is incapable of leading us to a place that is ever in violation of God’s desire for our lives. While the church has been busy creating and enforcing lists, it has missed its true calling – to teach people how to live in moment by moment dependency on the Spirit. Such dependency will lead us safely as we navigate the width of gray.
When Jesus said these words: “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed,” John 8:36, it was shortly after He had forgiven a woman caught in adultery. This produced a spirited debate with the Pharisees – the keepers of lists.
When Paul wrote these words in Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery,” he was aiming, just as Jesus was aiming, at the law of lists.
Both of these passages place freedom in juxtaposition against a list of rules and regulations which were so burdensome that most people could not even remember them, let alone keep them. So, while Christian freedom is certainly an inward experience, the practical outworking of Christian freedom is expressed by how we live out our lives. The law was expressed by an outward conformity to rules and regulations. Christian freedom is expressed by spontaneity of actions that are Spirit-led, moment by moment. Sometimes this exercise of freedom requires great courage and great faith because the keepers of lists still draw air and they are willing and ready to pounce on one walking in freedom.
Let’s re-group for a moment so that I am not misunderstood. The writers of the New Testament are attempting to stretch our minds and hearts with a new concept that dwarfs the dusty and stifling life of list-keeping. In writing to Titus, just after berating once more the list-givers, Paul says to Titus, “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled,” Titus 1:15. There is a freedom of movement deposited within the Christian that is nothing less than a life lived without lists. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to understand and exercise this freedom.
Christians who desire lists do so for a couple of reasons: 1) To give themselves a checklist against which they can measure themselves against others; and, 2) To press the limits of that list as far they can. That is human nature. The person desiring these lists may or may not be cognizant of these two reasons. If they are not, there is still a preservation of innocence and some hope for their eventual freedom. If they are, then their hearts are truly darkened and they are on the wrong side of Jesus.
Many Christian leaders and many churches are terrified of freedom because they have witnessed so much heartache and abuse when freedom is misused. That is understandable. But, to throw out the tenor of the entire New Testament by creating rules of behavior, in Paul’s words, “nullifies the gospel” and makes one “accursed.” Thus, if we are to err, we should always err on the side of freedom.
Now – is there bad behavior among Christians? Yes. Are there abuses of freedom? Yes. Is this pleasing to God? No. Or, as Paul would say, “God forbid!” How does God enact this freedom that many find so dangerous and, in their minds, irresponsible?
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul gives us a simple, straightforward answer. As we read what he says, we have to pay special attention to the order in which he phrases his words. Listen to this: “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires (lusts) of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16. Again, note the order. The mistake the church has made time and again is to reverse the order so it reads: “Don’t carry out the desires (lusts) of the flesh and you will be walking in the Spirit.” In other words, if you do this, this, and this – you will be a Spirit-filled Christian. It is a game of spiritual addition.
It doesn’t work that way. God’s Spirit is not meant to come upon us after we have fulfilled a list of do’s and don’ts. God’s Spirit is the prelude to a life well-lived – always. Our lists will always fall short of His righteous demands and the excesses of love, forgiveness, generosity, creativity and mercy that He asks us to demonstrate. To use a base analogy – He fills our tank before He asks us to drive. To do the opposite leaves us in the driveway making pretend car noises.
And, don’t forget this – the Spirit’s first name is Holy. The Holy Spirit is incapable of leading us to a place that is ever in violation of God’s desire for our lives. While the church has been busy creating and enforcing lists, it has missed its true calling – to teach people how to live in moment by moment dependency on the Spirit. Such dependency will lead us safely as we navigate the width of gray.
2 comments:
Another problem with living (if you can call it that) by lists is that we begin to place our lists on others and therefore judge each other by a standard we were never meant to use. We assume our lists are the "right" lists and everyone else better get their acts together. Soon the lists have become doctrines which divide the body. But if we're walking in the spirit, we will see others a little bit more as God sees them and have more grace and mercy to give out as opposed to judgment and condemnation. And we all know what it's like to live under condemnation. We forget that He came not to condemn the world but to save the world. If I live by a list, I forget that HE is the one who saved me and set me free - not my own acts of righteousness...
Thanks for the insights into the width of gray - something I'm sure most of us will have to refer back to again and again until we really "get" it...I know I will!
May God continue to work through your pen (or keyboard)to bring insight and wisdom to our sometimes foolish hearts...
A good reminder: The Spirit's first name is HOLY! Holiness is saying "No!" to the world and its expectations and "Yes!" to God. (Lists)!!??? Let His mercy reign!!!... God is our judge - He judges people by their faith and character and tells us to purify our hearts/improve our hearts attitude. Knowing this may we all choose to learn and grow in our present circumstance - Leaning on the Holy Spirit's guidance always! Another loving blessing He bestows on us richly..come what may
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