Breakin' the Law

H.L. Mencken said, "Morality is doing what is right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right." Jesus said, "Neither one will transform you."

I have a rebellious streak. In light of our state being "closed" and mandates regarding masks and so forth, that rebellious streak has been tested. I have found myself questioning authority more than ever, and beating my gracious husband's ear over the issues of peoples' rights and governmental control. The Holy Spirit, however, has transformed me to the point that, though I will continue to research and pray about these issues, I will comply as the Bible commands. I am not "religious" enough to blindly obey; I am not "moral" enough to recklessly revolt. I am seeking to be Christlike. Though I couldn't always say that.

My heart aches for those who strive so hard to be on some imaginary dot, some point at which they will do enough or be enough to consider themselves "saved." They obey and try with everything they've got, but never seem to meet the standards they themselves have set or standards set by others, standards they believe will identify them as "good Christians." (Sadly, it is their obsession with setting their own criteria and their perpetual focus on their appearance that identifies them as anything other than "good Christians.") Jesus tells us in John 14:6, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Him. Micah 6:8, tells us we are required to act justly and mercifully toward others, and walk humbly with God. Matthew 22:37-40, reiterates the importance of our relationship with God and our relationship with others, saying that to love in these two arenas is the very foundation of all the law and prophecy. It's not about being anything -- not good, moral, obedient, or religious.

Romans 8:5-8 and Colossians 3:2-3 talk about focus: focus on the things of the world versus focus on the things in the spiritual realm. In verse 8 of Romans 8, God through Paul says that those who are "in the flesh cannot please God." Maybe like me, as you read that, you get this picture in your head of someone acting on sinful impulses, driven by their own desires and directions. I mean, how can anyone acting that way please God, right? Recently, the Holy Spirit took me a little farther. The flesh is anything contrary to the Spirit. So, if I am committing to follow rules made by flesh and blood (no matter how well they mimic God's), if I am being moral or religious, I am walking in the flesh and not the Spirit. I am leaning on my own efforts, seeking righteousness according to standards I've set or selected, according to my timeline. I cannot please God -- not because I am lying or committing adultery or coveting (I am after all, moral or obedient) but, because God's wrath is not satisfied by my morality or obedience; it is satisfied only by the blood of Jesus Christ. In short, those working to make that dot, are working against the Spirit, walking contrary to God, and unable to satisfy God's wrath. Christ's blood alone is the propitiation for our sin - not fleshly, earthly standards or efforts.

For many years I was unsure of my salvation. I was disappointed in the "Christian life" and thoroughly defeated by my inability to live as one pleasing God. Eventually, I just gave up, lived life like everyone else. But when I had my first child, I came to realize that wasn't what I wanted for him. I once again tried desperately to be a Christian. But I was seeking the results over and above seeking The Way. I was mimicking truth rather than trusting in The Truth. I was trying (and failing miserably) to live a righteous life, rather than surrendering to The Life who is my righteousness.

Morality will, hopefully, be a byproduct of a relationship with Jesus. Religion may be something to which we are moved in order to celebrate and immerse ourselves more deeply into our relationship with Jesus. But Jesus is and always should be the Treasure we seek.

Lessons Springing Forth

"This year's felt like four seasons of winter

And you'd give anything you think to feel the sun

Always reaching, always climbing

Always second guessing the timing

But God has a plan, a purpose in this

You are His child and don't you forget."

                                             -- "Reason", by Unspoken

It had been a while since we'd listened to this playlist, but when this song came on the other morning? Wow! You're not kidding! 

People have joked about the first few months of this year feeling like two years, and I couldn't agree more. In my neck of the woods, Winter was mild. It seemed as though it had never really gotten started before COVID-19 had us still huddling inside, hunkered down in our pjs, having game nights (and mornings, and afternoons) and over-snacking. But here we are, and it's May, and there are signs that, quarantine or no quarantine, trees will bud, flowers will bloom, and the grass will still grow and grow. Perhaps it is those signs, those tokens of a promise that has everyone in a much more "normal" frame of mind these days. The weather has been warmer and the sun is shining, and the garden stores are packed (so much for social distancing). Families are barbecuing and sitting on their decks. Our neighborhood has been filled with music and laughter, neighbors calling out to neighbors, and the hum of weed whackers. People perceive the promise of Summer and have acted on it without giving it another thought. And given the current situation -- well, I believe we have been cooped up so long, everyone is prepared to enjoy it to the fullest -- even if it all disappears tomorrow. As I observed all this, I wondered how many lessons there are in all of it.

Promise. Does anyone seriously question whether Spring will become Summer, or Summer will become Autumn? It is as sure as my last breath. A promise made and kept year after year. And the signs we see merely confirm it. Just like the promise of eternal life. And, though no one has returned from the hereafter with 5x7 glossies, it is the promises God has already fulfilled for us as a people and as individuals that assure us His words are true. Our sins are paid for, there is a resurrection after death, and the most glorious reward we can receive is to spend that time with Him eternally.

Signs. Look around. The signs are everywhere. Not just of the impending seasons, but of the handiwork of a marvelous, thoughtful Creator. The way those dandelions reproduce! Bright yellow petals whither in minutes when plucked by chunky little hands, but when breaching the domain of a lawn fanatic? Those things are relentless, indomitable! Mother robin, fat with eggs heralds weather warm enough to sustain the life within her; the miracle of life that presses on from generation to generation. An Artist who does not simply mimic beauty, but is the Author of it. And is, Himself, Life -- that is a promise.

Belief in action. A few warm days, and people are plunking down their hard-earned plastic to spend hundreds on rakes, mulch, lawn mowers, flat after flat of flowers, patio furniture, and vegetable seeds. Barbecue grills are scrubbed and loaded up with enough seafood to feed an army. People barely gave it a second thought before they began to act like Spring had sprung. The way believers act on what they know is true (even though some may never see it to fruition on this side of eternity). Those who courageously faced lions and ridicule and sickness and spears -- to serve the Lord and tell others of His promises.

Joy. Bursting forth even in the midst of this strange time. A time when, sadly, our country is divided and its citizens are tested. A time when some are fearful of illness and death, and some are fearful of tyranny and subterfuge. A time when life is not what we are accustomed to and probably not what we would plan. But with a promise, joy springs forth. The fear is placed -- at least temporarily -- on a back burner. Divisions of opinion are left in the cyber world of Facebook while people get out and enjoy the reality of life and promise. Even the bitter memories or grief of a season of sickness or death are displaced by the warmth of light (and Light) on our faces.

There are lessons in this season, in every season. God has not forgotten or abandoned us. If we walk with Him, we will experience the good and the glory He has promised. We can weather even a year of "winters" because He is with us and strengthens us. And it is His promises and the signs of His faithfulness that allow us to jump into action, spreading joy to others, without giving it another thought. We can be light to others because He is Light and Life to us.