Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – fear of sin can kill the grace that overcomes sin. If we make the presence of God dependant upon my meeting of any form of performance criteria, then we have closed the door on the only way that presence of sin is ever overcome. It’s only in His presence that I am enabled for the life He invites me into.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 TPT
[23] You say, “Under grace there are no rules and we’re free to do anything we please.” Not exactly. Because not everything promotes growth in others. Your slogan, “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” may be true-but not everything causes the spiritual advancement of others. [24] So don’t always seek what is best for you at the expense of another.
Observation
This is so offensive to many I meet. “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” makes people very afraid. If there is no manipulation what will curve people’s appetites for indulgences and sinfulness, then how will we manage their behaviour? If no rewards for the good and no punishment for the bad then we are ruined! Religion wants God to hold out His presence on people so that we will be able to manage them. But grace kills religions hold by agreeing that the statement is true – “We’re allowed to do anything we choose.”God will not kick out His kids because of their behaviour. He will not say “be good or get gone.” His grace says “you are my kids, and that is settled, there is nothing you can do, no ongoing sin, no chosen sin, no nothing in your behaviour, that will change my behaviour, of deep, generous fatherly love poured out over you.” We must listen to God and get over our fear.
God doesn’t punish sin. He already did that in himself, and sins power has been eradicated, it no longer has any power of separation. But sin carries within its seed its own punishment. Sin destroys the beauty, the life, the healing of the gospel from shaping our lives and the lives of those around us. Sin is its own punishment, we have all felt its punishment, either as the consequence of others or the consequence of our own sin. But let’s not take that and put God behind it as the one who punishes. If that’s the case then Jesus was ineffective or at best not fully effective in the eradication of sins power. He was successful for those who meet the additional terms of acceptable behavioural criteria, religions message if Jesus + me = right with God. Sins presence is overcome as we walk in the presence of God, and the only way we can walk in His presence is if sins power has been eradicated so I am always welcome into His presence. If it’s not Jesus + nothing = Right with God, which is the gospel message of grace, then let’s call it, we are all stuffed. I mean pull the thread of understanding – What sort of a God would call us not to sin, to live pure lives, and then close the door on the only way to be the people of purity? Thats not our God. Only open intimacy to experience and encounter the beauty, life, love and healing of God can the people of God be transformed into His image. It’s only as we walk in the mystery of His presence do we discover the beauty of who we really are. So eradicate sins power of separation so that we can overcome sins presence by His presence. Makes perfect beautiful sense for life. What a good God we live intimately discovering.
Application
So it’s true – “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” get over your fear and keep the door to intimacy open. But understand that you are now responsible for what you release through your life. You’re equipped by an open invitation to His presence to live in the fullness of your Godlikeness, but as Heaven always does, the door is open, will I choose to enter into? I can do anything, I choose without fear, for His deep love for me has driven out the fear of punishment. Now His deep love calls me and enables me to live in the fullness of Him, discovering the fullness of me. I am saying yes to the open door!
Response
Thank you that fear is not something you ever use to drive me. Thank you that your presence and love is the only motivator you will ever offer me to shape me into the way of life you have called me too. Thank you that I can live so free in your open presence. I am not alone trying to navigate the randomness and unfairness of life, reacting to its circumstances without constraint. I have clarity of identity, I have enablement to overcome, and I have full acceptance to remain always in the shaping presence of love. How could you do life from any other context. Law has never worked, but your grace is transformative. Thank you for this incredible life with you.
Meditation
Meditate – We’re allowed to do anything we choose.
Consider:
Are you afraid of your freedom, or the freedom God offers to others? Do you want some form of law and punishment as the management mode of behaviour?
Do you know the beauty of His embrace when you have used your freedom for purposes that sit outside His life giving ways? Do you know how beautiful it is to be loved when you stuff up badly?
JOURNEY DEEPER
