Freedom in Christ

Everyone familiar with the internship understands the basic rules you are required to follow, i.e. no secular music, no R rated movies, no dating. But there are many other behaviors that are strongly recommended by David Hasz and the group peer pressure is enormous. Exercise 4 times per week, one hour quiet time per day, learn new vocabulary words by carrying index cards around with you, don’t say the words crap or fart – and many, many others. These behaviors are encouraged under the guise of developing discipline and leadership. The not so subtle implication is that those who do not engage in these behaviors are not very good Christians. At the very least, they are not the cream of the crop able to fulfill their divine calling of saving the world.

After suffering under severe guilt and condemnation for my inability to do everything right, I finally found true freedom in this passage:

Colossians 2: 16,17,20-23

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

In Teen Mania speak, this could have said:

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by how long you fast, or with regard to how long you lasted in ESOAL, your vocabulary word memorization, your intern rating or your daily quiet times…” These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom (yes, they certainly do!!) with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body (sound familiar, anyone?) BUT THEY LACK ANY VALUE IN RESTRAINING SENSUAL INDULGENCE.

If you have been living under the crushing weight of condemnation because of your inability to live up to Teen Mania’s expectations for your spiritual life, let this verse give you comfort and freedom.

2 comments:

Anonymous said…

yes! That’s so true. I’m really touched by this. It’s so hard to not feel the weight of condemnation. SO HARD!!!
I’m a socially awkward, insecure, pogo stick hopping around these days, trying not to jump on the cracks…
thank you so much for this. I’m blessed.
September 28, 2009 11:49 AM

w said…

Amen to this post and the comment!!!
February 2, 2010 12:15 AM