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The juggling act of Christianity. We are called to live a holy life, but many of us struggle to know what that looks like, so we make up these rules to live by, "Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew* or go with girls who do!" But then we get so caught up in these rules and find ourselves pushing our rules onto others that it becomes legalism, which is what was happening to the church in Galatia on the issue of circumcision.
The flip side is in verse 13, "...only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh..." and Paul goes on to talk about the opportunities of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
Coming from a Wesleyan heritage that struggles not to get into legalities I try to remind myself God looks at the heart, it's not about following a bunch of dos and don'ts but God's grace, His unmerited favor.
*Chew - as in chewing tobacco, having grown up in Oklahoma it was common habit. And a pastor at the church I grew up in would use that line. (Context is everything!(
Galatians 5
ReplyDeleteLive in the Freedom That Christ Gives You
1 Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.
22-23 But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.
25 If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature.