Rules or freedom? An Opinion from a Recovering Pharisee

Many people think that being a Christian consists of following certain steps, formulas, and plans. You must read the Bible every day, you must go to church every Sunday, you must...you must...you must...! I disagree--I think being a Christian is similar to being born into a loving family, with a loving mother, father, brothers, and sisters.

Some days, God is wiping my nose, helping me tie my shoes, and other times he is teaching me how to wait, listen, and love. Some days, I am going to church and some days I may relax or go help someone in need. It is sad that we set up a "way" to do Christianity, when the Bible is God's living word and when Jesus prevailed, the rules were not the way to salvation, the only way is through our Messiah Jesus Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

God is the perfect father that loves each child uniquely, perfectly, and without favoritism. When Jesus left this earth, God sent our Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and lead. He is that still, small voice that compels us, engages us, and gives us amazing peace.

I have, in the past, been very guilty of setting up rules: "You can't do this, you can't do that, you must do this, you must do that," I preached it with conviction and crammed it down other’s throats. How sad--how very sad to put God and his ways in a box and imprison ourselves, and especially to teach others the same (gulp). I totally understand why we go to church every Sunday, studies, participate in ministries, and why a scripture or two is pulled out to back that up.

But, I also know the stories of those who stayed home and read the Bible in total unbelief and were changed by God’s Holy Spirit from his miraculous touch and heart change. I think everyone can be lead by God and it may look completely different than other’s direction and often doesn’t even make sense. But, so often we act like the siblings, tattling, judging, and gossiping about others by adopting a superior attitude as if we have all the answers. Ask me how I know—I did it for years, and am not proud, at all!

As a recovering Pharisee, I find that truly trusting God is not laying down a set of rules, but rather embracing God's love and letting him lead me through this beautiful journey he has designed me to discover. Why did I set up so many rules for myself? I must confess, as I reflect back, I am certain it was fear. I was afraid I would backslide, fall away, sin more, and I simply did not trust God to lead my life.

Now, I know, I was controlling, and completely unable and unwilling to allow God, my perfect father, to direct my path. Hopefully I have grown, or I know I have, as I am able to rest, trust, and embrace all, uhem, or shall I say, some of the changes life throws my way each and every day.

Perfect? I will never be perfect (on earth) and therein is the reason I must cling to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and believe he paid the price for my new life when he died on the cross and rose again. But, I do not let go and just resign myself to sinning because of that fact. Instead, I try to carefully listen to that gut feeling that tells me without a doubt, that last action, word, or thought was not appropriate and I attempt to adjust and learn from my mistake. But, if I do the same thing over, and over, and over again I look to my loving father and ask for help because apparently I am unable to conquer it on my own.

So, what should we do everyday? Everyone has a different personality, calling, and will for their life from God. I choose to ask God often, "what shall I do, please help me, how am I doing," etc. I choose to listen to Christian music sometimes, read the Bible sometimes, listen to sermons sometimes, go to church sometimes, attend ladies retreats sometimes. I choose to watch secular movies sometimes, listen to secular music sometimes, and engage in recreational activities sometimes.

I choose to get out of the prison of "I must, I must, I must," and instead liberate myself with, "perhaps I should, or maybe I will, or I think I want to rest." If God compels me to do something it is absolutely amazing the miraculous ability I can attain by asking for his wisdom and assistance even if I didn't "feel" like doing it, or think I couldn't possibly achieve it. Because I believe, Phillipians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," I am able to have victory.

The answer, I have found is in my new favorite four letter word—“free.” John 8:36: So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)

~Please comment and tell me your opinion.

For more, see my answer on yoexpert.com: http://christianity.yoexpert.com/christianity-basics/should-being-a-christian-consist-of-following-cert-1437.html