Lately I have seen people (thank YOU social media), toting the label “christian” while declaring they are free so they can live however they please. I am sorry but that is not why Christ died. He did not die in order for you to live recklessly and then call on His unrelenting love and grace. Yes, He loves you, He loves you infinitely. So much so He died for YOU but He died to empower you to fully love Him not to cheapen His gift by disregarding His commands.
His gift is one that breaks the chains of bondage, annihilates the yolk of slavery and gives anyone who chooses to receive the power to live a sin free life. (I, myself, have yet to fully figure out the last part but I know it is truth) His gift does not mean that since we are covered in His grace we can live however we please because we are free. Freedom from bondage does not mean freedom from restraint.
Salvation beckons us to come under stricter control. The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL. (Ephesians 5:22-23) Self-control : the ability to control oneself; synonyms: self-discipline, restraint, willpower, composure. Nowhere in scripture does it say we are to live as we please but instead to a God ordained standard; a life full of the fruit of the spirit.
Life is not about being liked and loved by everyone in this world on the contrary in Matthew 10:22 we are given the promise by Jesus himself that we will face opposition.
“You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered”
Personally, I believe in provoking the world to God through extravagant love. God Himself leads us to repentance through His kindness. (Romans 2) This does not mean I need to take part in the world and their behaviors. This means I love the world while they are in their sin and offer them a hand when they want out of it. At no time though do I go and partake in their mess with them.
Why would a hurt and broken world buy into the belief life is better with Christ if a christian is living in a manner similar to them? How is that compelling? Often times the world is trying to soothe their pain with sin not knowing it is just causing more damage. As a believer we get to offer them the grand solution, don’t cheapen the extravagant gift God has so freely given.
