One of these things is not like the others...right? Well, according to what I'm seeing...I'm not so sure.
"Don't judge."
"Stop being so critical."
"That's legalism."
"I'm not weak in that area; it's not a stumbling block for me."
"The Bible doesn't say it's wrong."
May I ask...
Why are we bragging about the fine brand of alcohol we drank?
Why are we (ladies) taking seductive pictures of ourselves showing only what our husbands should see?
Why are we grinding in a mini skirt on Saturday and raising our hands in praise on Sunday?
Why are we using curse words with our reasoning being alleged relevance?
Why are we so caught up with ourselves and so stuck on proving how awesome and "FREE" our lives are? WAKE UP. This is bondage, folks, not freedom.
On the altar of "artsy," "cool," "intellectual," and just plain "it doesn't matter" we are sacrificing the freedom for which Christ died.
Read this:
13 "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[a] 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[b] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 2021[c] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:13-26
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[b] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 2021[c] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:13-26
Wow. This scripture hit me. Bam. No, legalism is not the answer...CHRIST is. And if we are living a Holy Spirit-led life, our freedom is CHRIST, not alcoholic consumption. It's the motive that matters. Where is your heart, dear reader? May we look at everything in our lives and analyze it not on the basis of, "Is this okay?" but "Will this glorify the sweet Savior?" And analysis isn't even always the answer. Many times, I have no clue what to do, but I am learning to surrender to the Holy Spirit. Do I mess up? Oh, yeah. But He is here, and I am so completely humbled. Oh, may we not mock Him or put Him in a box.
Oh, let us be consumed by Him. And then...perhaps all this other stuff wouldn't be such a big deal, because we'd be too busy about His will and Kindom work to worry about making our selfish, sinful lives look polished and Christian.
"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." Galatians 5:1
On a personal note:
I write this because I love the body of Christ and want us to live a full life in Christ, not because I think I have it "all together." I know I don't.
Prayer Request:
We all have issues, right? I do. But what if you have young lives looking to you for answers and stability? Then what? Well, then you look to YOUR stability, and ultimately their stability. His name is Jesus. Every morning I remind myself why I'm here, and surrender it to Jesus. Do I do it perfectly? No way. But I do love my students with a real love that I pray points them continually to the true Love, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers.
with love, AA
6 comments:
Wow! Outstanding. I will be certain to promote your blog at church tomorrow. If I commented more, it would but only parallel your words at best. Love You! -Dad
Oh, Audrey Ann. I've been challenged in each of the areas in your opening line. Except cleavage. Replace that with short skirts and shorts instead, because that's how Korean women show off their body.
Thank you so much for the reminder. I have found a good balance in some areas, but I've caught myself off guard with my behavior in others. Thank you for encouraging us to stand strong, and thanks for reminding me that I'm not the only one fighting. I like fighting along with others much more than fighting alone.
Amen, dear heart. I've noticed how "hip" Christianity is becoming, and it seems to become less like Christ the more hip it becomes. I don't have a conviction against alcohol or an interest in fashion, but I do have a problem with taking the license of God's grace as a free reign to do whatever we want.
Our pastor taught a few Sundays ago, from Galatians 2, about not setting aside the grace of God. It seems that modern Christianity (probably like Christianity from the past hundred years) spends its time jumping from legalism to free license, and atoning for one by the other. And neither is the answer. Grace is what we need, to free us from legalism AND from our love of "Christian liberties," which do nothing more than make us feel cool and spiritual about walking too close to sin.
One of my dear friends loves to say, "The gospel gives us the freedom to chill the heck out." And yet, I don't live that way, because somehow, every morning, I have to start all over to believe the gospel is real and true and mine.
God, help our unbelief!
Right on Audrey Ann! We are not to look like the world or act like the world. Yet, we are called to love them, pray for them, and be Christ in front of them.How will they see Him in us if we look like/act like them? Thank you for your boldness.
Fawnamomma
Would that more Christian women would take this to heart. I saw an article on the royal wedding that Kate Middleton didn't wear a strapless wedding gown, because she is a royal. I have told my daughters that they are royalty, daughters of King Jesus. We ought to reflect Christ in the way we dress, act, etc. so that no one would ever doubt that we are children of the king.
Love you AA, love your thoughts miss millie! :)
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