WATCHWORD:
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
Meditation:
Free Will
Nearly two years ago I wrote an essay entitled ‘Small Minds’ and posted it on my website. I pointed out that the conflict I see between our personal opinions of things, the free will that God has given us, and simple, clear facts that are there before our eyes, and minds, have caused stress and divisions that have taken away from the building up of our nation and our own spiritual growth. I am not sure I made much of a case.
I think we would all agree that differences of opinion have brought stress and division within the church, and by association, has caused questions and concerns regarding our personal spiritual growth. It seems we just can’t learn. God tells us that religion is man-made, but he says we need to learn from each one, for each is unique and has value. But, what do we do? We manufacture still another one, it seems that nearly 50,000 different slants on God’s word, that we created, isn’t enough.
God makes it clear that He did NOT create any religion! Not one! Not yours, not mine. He made it clear that each of those man-made “slants” on His Word has a purpose. He implies that we make complex that which is actually very simple – Love others as He has loved us. Period.
He did not create catechism, we did that for us. The 613 laws of Judaism Josh? That, too, is human-made. Those set prayers we recite? They are ours. The Apostles Creed to remind us of our history? That, too, is for us. Well, what is His creed? Are you paying attention? Love. His commandment is for us to scatter His Love amongst all our free will decisions as we live our lives.
I crew up in a family where my father was a Congregational Christian pastor. He strongly opposed John F. Kennedy for President because he was Catholic. I overheard him telling my older sister that she could not date a boy whose family, he knew, was Catholic. I never understood his opposition. Over the years I have attended Mass with my sister-in-law. Never gave it another thought when my grandson married a Catholic girl in the Catholic Church. I was in attendance. Much later, I attended the baptism of their first child in that same Catholic Church.
Recently when I was told that the sam grandson was taking instruction in the Catholic Church, I sent this text: Dear Mike , I’m proud of you. Your mother told me that you were taking instruction in the Catholic Church. I applaud you for taking a strong stand. We can have some future discussions about Catholicism versus Protestantism, but I’m just glad you’re doing what you’re doing because it represents a decision for Christ on your part.
I realize some people are very strong on elements of what they believe are constructs of their Christian faith. Variations on baptism, women as Pastors, on communion. “Laws” that are strict and cannot be compromised. I’ve heard one gospel preacher claim there were colors that were prohibited anywhere in church. Colors! Who would’ve ever thought that a color could be considered sinful? Humm bug!
Come to think of it, my wife had her own rule for our adolescent daughters regarding black pants. They were an absolute ‘no, no’. Were they sinful? I have no idea where that came from, but it was a source of some tension. Rules to live by?
Free will. A gift from God. One of His many graces. We can make our own choices. We can choose to follow His Will, or not. Over time, our experience will bring clarity to the ‘rightness’ of His Will, while at the same time reveal the value of a sense of humor, as we consider those ‘other variations’. Colors? Come on! So be it.
Prayer of Gratitude:
Please teach me to use well the freedom you have graciously given to me by faith in Christ Jesus and most of all to honor your Son Jesus Christ and you in him. For one day I know we will see clearly that every choice made in obedience to Christ was right and will be magnificently rewarded. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
