A Lifestyle Set Apart......
Good Morning Girls! I hope yesterdays blog on grace got you all thinking. I also hope you feel comfortable enough to bring me your feedback, comments, and even your concerns. As beautiful, wonderful, and seemingly simple as Grace is, it has sure brought more questions into my life than anything else.
I would like to start today by clarifying a couple things regarding my "rules". Forgive me if my writing goes in circles. It's really hard to get all my thoughts written. It would be so much easier if I could speak to you. Do you all mind just coming over to my house and having some coffee with me? Hopefully I will be on Minnesota time soon.......
First of all, when I say I am returning to my rules, I don't mean I am returning to the "Law" or to black and white thinking. I am not talking about religious rules that give me a false sense of spiritual superiority. I am not talking about the right vs wrong, good vs bad, "real" Christian vs faithless Christian rules.
What I am talking about is returning to a standard of living that reflects the Truth that I have been set apart by God. The Apostle Paul, the "Grace writer" tells us over and over again that the law will not save us. He tells us that focusing on the "rules" will only cause us to sin more.
However, he also says many things such as let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body OR spirit. And let us work towards complete holiness because we fear God 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think Romans 12:2 There are countless examples.
These scriptures speak to my heart and tell me that though there are no longer any "rules" there is in fact a standard of living that we are to live by. I will also say that there are some things that are "universal" standards and other things that are are specific to each individual Christian.
So when I talk about my rules, I am really talking about the standard of living I believe I am called to. And for a rebellious, obsessive, addictive Girl (this is not a negative confession so don't even go there.....it is simply an observation of my fleshly tendencies though I do not have to give in to them); in order to live out my desired standard of living, I need a few "rules".
For example; I had a gambling addiction years ago. It wasn't even about the money. It was about the excitement, thrill, and escape from reality that drove me to the casino on a weekly basis. I could care less about the money. In fact, I didn't go there to win. I went there with a certain amount of money (a large amount) that I would play until I lost. I never once went with the intention of coming home with money. (weird I know to you who think losing $3 on a scratch off is a bummer) It took place during one of the lowest points in my life- just before the Lord captured my heart.
For me, gambling is no longer a part of my life. It does not fit into my standard of living. Stay with me here......it's not because I will argue that it is right or wrong (though it is definitely wrong for me).....it is because for me it takes me down a path that leads to depression, guilt, and lack of control. It puts me right back to where I was 12 years ago.
Here is where the "rule" comes in. Even though the desire to go to the casino is gone and I no longer wrestle with it daily, there are still things I need to do in the natural to keep my flesh from going there. The rule is: I cannot watch any shows that glorify the casino scene. It may sound silly but it's the truth.
A few years ago there was this show on NBC called Vegas. My girlfriend watched it, loved it, and told me about it. Now she is the kind of Girl who would not even consider stepping foot in a casino. She could go to Vegas simply for the great food and entertainment (what a weirdo huh? Lol).
I turned it on for about 3 minutes. That was enough for me to know that this show was off limits for me. As soon as I heard the "ding- ding- ding" of the slot machines, my mind starting going and I'm sure I started salivating like Pavlov's dog!
It's a rule. It does not put me under the law. It does not nullify what Jesus did for me on the cross!
Now, lets say I went ahead and watched the show. Lets say I ended up in the casino. Then what? Well Praise the Lord- I am still a child of the Most High God. He still loves me. He still cherishes me. He still pours out His favor on me.
I have not fallen from grace.
I have however opened the door for the enemy. I now have to listen to this all day :"so....do you really think God is not disappointed in you? Do you really think he is going to bless you today? Do you really believe he has big plans for you? Sure....maybe he did...but how can he use you now? How can he use someone who hangs out it a place like that? How can he trust you with anything when you just lost all that money? You don't really think that he is looking at you right now as righteous do you? Come on....it's not that easy. Sure, it was different before when you didn't know any better....but you do know better now. You were supposed to be "better than that"....doesn't look like it now does it?"
All day long I've got to cast down these accusations and respond with the Truth that therefore there is now no condemnation in Christ........even though I feel like the biggest disappointment that ever walked the earth.
Some people are just more susceptible to guilt and condemnation. I am one of them. Therefore I am choosing to stay away from things that give the enemy an opportunity to attack me. I find it much easier than wasting a whole day arguing with the enemy.
One of our fellow Girls sent me this comment yesterday. It was beautifully written and sums up what I am saying:
The message of Grace is SO vital to grasp but I don't think the root message of it is to throw out the "rules". In fact, I think a lot of people are confusing "rules" with "standards". The root message of Grace is that there is nothing we can do to earn or lose the love and blessings of God because Jesus completed the work on the cross and He bestowed His righteousness upon us and there is nothing we can add to that or take away from it. That means we can freely accept God's love, blessings and favor no matter where we are in our life. It doesn't mean that we don't strive to live at the higher standard of life that Jesus is calling us too (which often means doing or not doing something...what some might view as "rules"). It just means that while we are striving for that standard we don't disqualify ourselves when we screw up and we don't qualify ourselves by "checking all the right boxes" and expecting God to bless us because of what we've done.
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love
Love, peace, and a personal understanding of Grace to you all-
Jen
I would like to start today by clarifying a couple things regarding my "rules". Forgive me if my writing goes in circles. It's really hard to get all my thoughts written. It would be so much easier if I could speak to you. Do you all mind just coming over to my house and having some coffee with me? Hopefully I will be on Minnesota time soon.......
First of all, when I say I am returning to my rules, I don't mean I am returning to the "Law" or to black and white thinking. I am not talking about religious rules that give me a false sense of spiritual superiority. I am not talking about the right vs wrong, good vs bad, "real" Christian vs faithless Christian rules.
What I am talking about is returning to a standard of living that reflects the Truth that I have been set apart by God. The Apostle Paul, the "Grace writer" tells us over and over again that the law will not save us. He tells us that focusing on the "rules" will only cause us to sin more.
However, he also says many things such as let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body OR spirit. And let us work towards complete holiness because we fear God 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think Romans 12:2 There are countless examples.
These scriptures speak to my heart and tell me that though there are no longer any "rules" there is in fact a standard of living that we are to live by. I will also say that there are some things that are "universal" standards and other things that are are specific to each individual Christian.
So when I talk about my rules, I am really talking about the standard of living I believe I am called to. And for a rebellious, obsessive, addictive Girl (this is not a negative confession so don't even go there.....it is simply an observation of my fleshly tendencies though I do not have to give in to them); in order to live out my desired standard of living, I need a few "rules".
For example; I had a gambling addiction years ago. It wasn't even about the money. It was about the excitement, thrill, and escape from reality that drove me to the casino on a weekly basis. I could care less about the money. In fact, I didn't go there to win. I went there with a certain amount of money (a large amount) that I would play until I lost. I never once went with the intention of coming home with money. (weird I know to you who think losing $3 on a scratch off is a bummer) It took place during one of the lowest points in my life- just before the Lord captured my heart.
For me, gambling is no longer a part of my life. It does not fit into my standard of living. Stay with me here......it's not because I will argue that it is right or wrong (though it is definitely wrong for me).....it is because for me it takes me down a path that leads to depression, guilt, and lack of control. It puts me right back to where I was 12 years ago.
Here is where the "rule" comes in. Even though the desire to go to the casino is gone and I no longer wrestle with it daily, there are still things I need to do in the natural to keep my flesh from going there. The rule is: I cannot watch any shows that glorify the casino scene. It may sound silly but it's the truth.
A few years ago there was this show on NBC called Vegas. My girlfriend watched it, loved it, and told me about it. Now she is the kind of Girl who would not even consider stepping foot in a casino. She could go to Vegas simply for the great food and entertainment (what a weirdo huh? Lol).
I turned it on for about 3 minutes. That was enough for me to know that this show was off limits for me. As soon as I heard the "ding- ding- ding" of the slot machines, my mind starting going and I'm sure I started salivating like Pavlov's dog!
It's a rule. It does not put me under the law. It does not nullify what Jesus did for me on the cross!
Now, lets say I went ahead and watched the show. Lets say I ended up in the casino. Then what? Well Praise the Lord- I am still a child of the Most High God. He still loves me. He still cherishes me. He still pours out His favor on me.
I have not fallen from grace.
I have however opened the door for the enemy. I now have to listen to this all day :"so....do you really think God is not disappointed in you? Do you really think he is going to bless you today? Do you really believe he has big plans for you? Sure....maybe he did...but how can he use you now? How can he use someone who hangs out it a place like that? How can he trust you with anything when you just lost all that money? You don't really think that he is looking at you right now as righteous do you? Come on....it's not that easy. Sure, it was different before when you didn't know any better....but you do know better now. You were supposed to be "better than that"....doesn't look like it now does it?"
All day long I've got to cast down these accusations and respond with the Truth that therefore there is now no condemnation in Christ........even though I feel like the biggest disappointment that ever walked the earth.
Some people are just more susceptible to guilt and condemnation. I am one of them. Therefore I am choosing to stay away from things that give the enemy an opportunity to attack me. I find it much easier than wasting a whole day arguing with the enemy.
One of our fellow Girls sent me this comment yesterday. It was beautifully written and sums up what I am saying:
The message of Grace is SO vital to grasp but I don't think the root message of it is to throw out the "rules". In fact, I think a lot of people are confusing "rules" with "standards". The root message of Grace is that there is nothing we can do to earn or lose the love and blessings of God because Jesus completed the work on the cross and He bestowed His righteousness upon us and there is nothing we can add to that or take away from it. That means we can freely accept God's love, blessings and favor no matter where we are in our life. It doesn't mean that we don't strive to live at the higher standard of life that Jesus is calling us too (which often means doing or not doing something...what some might view as "rules"). It just means that while we are striving for that standard we don't disqualify ourselves when we screw up and we don't qualify ourselves by "checking all the right boxes" and expecting God to bless us because of what we've done.
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love
Love, peace, and a personal understanding of Grace to you all-
Jen
Comments