Do It/ Don't

Many people may think that religions tend to be lists of “do this” and “don’t do that”. I’m kind of a list person myself and can appreciate that method of organization but the Christian message of faith is so far beyond any set of rules to follow.

We have a great example in the Bible in Paul. He grew into his adult life passionately following a set of rules that he firmly believed put him in a right relationship with God. At one point he was actually working against the Christian faith. Then God changed his life around and Paul became of believer in the grace of God through the action of Christ. Quite a transformation!

Paul would be the first to admit that even though he now had a correct understanding of the Christian faith and its transformative power, he still struggled with the everyday temptations that surrounded him. He even says the good things he knows he should do he doesn’t, and the bad things he shouldn’t do, he does! He understands it. Can you relate to that? I can.

Christianity isn’t a set of rules to follow but a desire to follow Christ. Paul says to put away your old ways of thinking because they are clouded and misguided. He goes on to say that when you believe, God forgives your sins and invites you to step into a new relationship with Him and a new way of thinking. Instead of life apart and drifting away from God, He invites you to step forward into a new life, guided by Him, to grow in relationship with Him.

Even when we continue to struggle with sin and temptation, we should remember that we are forgiven children of God and He has broken the stronghold of sin on us. We have been set free.
The Bible expresses it like this: we are to “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;” and instead we should “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This truth, even in the midst of our struggles, is good to remember and sometimes even say out loud!  (Read more about this in Ephesians chapter 4)