Obedience and Freedom

 

Open PDF file:  Obedience and Freedom — Hope for the Try-Harder Christian

‘Obedience and Freedom’ was written in 1999. I was discovering God’s grace after years of frustration in my Christian life. This article was my attempt to document what I learned and offer hope to other try-harder Christians.

Both law and grace are gifts from God for our good. Some who herald the message of grace are inclined to view God’s “rules” as obstacles to a grace-based relationship. Certainly focusing on the rules can become oppressive or foster legalism, but in celebrating God’s grace we cannot dismiss our responsibility to honor God through our actions. God gave us ”rules” to keep us from harming ourselves and others. In this article I suggest how the Christian can both live according to God’s rules and experience freedom in God’s grace. 

   As Christians we are called to avoid sin and obey God’s commandments. The Bible tells us God is pleased when we do good: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). But what about when we fail? Do you feel that God is shaking his head in disapproval at your behavior? Do you make commitments to be self-disciplined and obedient to God, only to find that you can’t measure up — even to your own standards? Do you try harder? Have you given up? Do you ask yourself, “Where is the joy and peace I am supposed to experience?”
   Several years ago I went through a period in my Christian life when I wrestled with these feelings. For so long I had… [continue reading]

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