What should we believe? (And in believing, what practices/traditions/rules should we follow?) This is the key question that has led to every single schism and ism in the history of Churchianity.
I was once told that now, being free of the Law of Sin and Death we are brought under the Law of the Spirit.
This suggests that, as Christians, we have been freed from the old law and put under a new law, which leads us to life instead of being a schoolmaster that teaches us of our sin and leads us to death.
A great deal of time is spent in the New Testament rebuking this idea, (See Galations. Any/all of it.) So what is the alternative? If we, being under grace, are free of the law, are we not called to do or be anything specific? To follow SOME rules?
No. We aren’t.
In fact, everything is permissible for us. EVERYTHING. (oh the mischief I could get up to…)
What is Christianity without Christ? …Nothing. …Oh.
We are not specifically called to do or be anything as Christians. We are NOT called to follow a particular creed or set of rules. Everything IS permissible to us…
But who is us?
Isn’t everything permissible for me if I just decide it’s so? Short of another human being stopping me, what consequence is there? (And wouldn’t that same human being, usually with a badge and a gun stop a Christian or an anarchist-hedonist-atheist just as quickly?)
So now, what difference is there between a Christian and an anarchist-hedonist-atheist?
The answer is simple.
Christ.
Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life.
Do you love Christ?
Given the choice between doing ANYTHING YOU WANT and doing what He wants, which will you choose?
Everything is permissible for us, because we are trusted, beloved of Him.
We are not called to live under the law. We are called to follow the Lord, He who fulfilled the law and assures us that not one jot or tittle of it will pass away until the end of the world.
Do not follow the law. Follow the Life.
We are told that everything is permissible for us (and it IS true) as an encouragement not to be afraid, or ashamed, or accusatory, or judgmental, or divisive….the list goes on.
Fellowship with all brothers and sisters. Do not let meaningless nonsense separate you from each other. Do not let ANYTHING separate you from each other.
This was never a call to agree on everything (or be libertine, for that matter). Disagree, argue, learn, grow, live. Do it ALL in fellowship and unity in Christ.
THIS is our commandment.
I agree. Blindly following dogma does not create faith. Questioning & challenging your beliefs creates faith and strengthens faith. Most important is that you do it in community. Share your faith and how Christ came to you – but don’t do it with an intention to convert. Share it so that others can understand the love of Jesus and challenge their own faith.
Don’t be afraid to talk about God.
I mostly agree.
I think the one point where we may differ is on the “intent to convert.” (Or maybe not.)
Intent comes from the heart. If your intent is to share something wonderful that you’ve found (namely Christ) because it matters to you, then share! If you can strike a spark or light a flame in another’s heart, that’s a good thing. (And if you care about something, namely Christ, you WILL share about Him.)
On the other hand, if the intent of the heart comes out of pride or selfishness, you can only cause damage. (One form of those is a misguided desire to “convert people for God” …which is coming from a worldview that has some real pride issues buried in it that aren’t acknowledged.)
Thanks for your input, Steve. It’s encouraging to have you share here.