Galatians 5:6,13-14
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
For years, I hated church. Despised it. Avoided it. Excused my way out of it. Quit it.
“You? No way! Why?” you may ask with astonishment.
“Well,” I would commence, “the reasons are two-fold.”
One: People are made to come out of fear, not love. And two: People are forced into guilt, not conviction. (This is not a scathing indictment on all churches. Just sharing my experiences.)
I have been a part of churches and services where hell-fire, brimstone, and judgment were spewed so voraciously that people flooded to the altar, terrified of being thrown in the lake of fire and scorched for eternity. If you’re not praying…if you’re not squalling at the altar…if you’re not doing this or that…if you aren't turning, you’re burning. And on and on the deluge of condemnation pours. While there is a judgment and a hell away from GOD, the church should focus on the love of GOD. Remember that we are instructed to love, set apart from the world by our displaying it. A holy fear, or reverence, for GOD is spiritual healthy. But we shouldn't quake in fear of him squishing us like a bug. The Scriptures says, “Perfect love casts out fear” and “we can approach the throne (of GOD) boldly” because of Jesus Christ.
So let us do things more out of love and less out of fear.
The second thought goes hand-in-hand with the first. A Biblical difference exists between Godly sorrow (conviction) and worldly sorrow (guilt). Conviction is wrought by the Holy Spirit and ushers us back to the Presence of GOD. It can be a rather bumpy ride sometimes but like the Prodigal, we return home. Guilt, by contrast, drives us further into self and reeks of a vicious cycle of depression and sadness. Of the utmost importance is distinguishing between the two both in our own lives and as we help the Refugees (and others) around us.
So accept the Spirit’s conviction, confess, and sprint back to GOD. To sit, soak, and sour in guilt leads you further away from GOD and the hope he so desperately desires to share with us all.
Author’s Note: for more on this topic, read pages 101-103 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski
