NOT WHAT YOU THINK

Often, we who have been called to follow Christ see God’s Word as a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” which we try to comply with. This is in fact the antithesis to what it means to walk in liberty that we have in Christ. We ask; “What would Jesus Do?” good question, bad intention; being a true Disciple of Christ is NOT trying to live like Jesus, but instead allowing Christ who lives in us to direct us. The first is religion and it at best produces some obedience to the letter of the Law, at worse it produces legalism, which is bondage, which kills the Spirit. It is an outward attempt to reproduce outward behavior. Living by the inhabiting Spirit of Christ is allowing Jesus to change us from the inside-out, which in turns produces the Godly life of true liberty to live such a life that glorifies God.The apostle Paul wrote; if you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live.


Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:28-32


We can either see these as commands which we strive to produce in our lives or we can see this behavior as a description of Christ and the fruit of what Christ is producing from within us. Such production is of course not wholly independent of our will, but it is neither the independent fruit of our labor for we can never achieve holiness through our good efforts, neither can we be saved through our good works.


Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20


We can either say, “I am going to live like this” (even though we have never been able to accomplish this before) or we will say “Jesus, create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a righteous Spirit within me”; for whom such behavior is natural.


Many people love God because of their religion; God loves us in spite of it.
I suspect God hates religion as much as men love it.

Our effort should not be so much to live like Jesus, but to allow Jesus to live in us. Amen!