Legalism

As Christians, we live for Jesus, right?
We realize it is about relationship not religion, right?
We realize it is about who God is, not about who we are, right?
We realize nothing we do can save us, Jesus already did, right?
And we realize that is past tense, not present, it is done, right?

So why do we get caught up in legalism? Why do we go back to the rules and further from the truth? Yes, further from the truth. Jesus- the way, the truth, the life. Jesus wasn't down everyone's throats about every little thing they messed up on. He didn't micro manage anyone. God gave us free will and Jesus allowed us to use it.

We are human. We will mess up. We will sin. We are not and never will be perfect. That is the truth. That is real.

I want to be real.

So when I personally do something I maybe should not have done or done in a different way, I don't intentionally try to cover it up. I don't hide who I am. I don't put myself in this Christian legalistic box and put a cover on it.

I am who I am but it's all of me- the good and the bad as a whole- take it all or walk away from it all.

We of course always want to do our best and preach the Gospel more through our actions than our words. We want to always improve upon who we are. I agree with all that. We want encouragement and support from others. I agree with that too. But we want it in both ways- not just as cheerleaders when we are doing well, but supporting us even when we fall. Supporting meaning not criticizing, judging or ridiculing our every move, but loving us, just flat out loving us.

Jesus loved... everyone. And we are to model our lives not off other Christians or off rules, but off of Jesus. And when we want to judge, criticize or improve the imperfect, we should point the finger first at ourselves, because we have just as much to improve upon as the next person.

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

I just felt entirely compelled to write this. It is not specifically directed at anyone. For what I just said above I can still just direct it at myself. Gentle yet firm reminder to all. Love and be loved. That is all. Thanks for reading.