Live Freely and Lightly

I was listening to an online sermon earlier this week and these thoughts came to mind.

Jesus came into a world full of religious regulations. The people were literally being crushed under the weight of all the rules they had to follow. Many of them having nothing to do with worship to God, they were simply put in place to make people look "holy" ...

In this setting, Jesus said, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

God didn't intend for His people to live under a lot of rules. Following Him isn't simply a check list. I read my Bible today, check. I prayed for my family today, check. I gave a couple of dollars to the homeless guy on the street corner, check.

God wants us to live in relationship with Him. Notice what Jesus said, "Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it."

I know many Christians who can quote scripture, who pray well (according to man's measurement), who even give generously, who couldn't actually say they walk with Jesus. I have to admit, I'm one of them.

Jesus loved unconditionally. He touched people the world considered untouchable (he healed the leper by touching him). He showed grace to people the world wanted to kill; people who the law of Moses would have allowed to be killed (the woman caught in adultery). Jesus allowed prostitutes, tax collectors, and children to be part of his inner circle.

Jesus cut through all the legalistic rules and showed us the path to God is through a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus willingly laid down his life for sinners.

The church has once again become a stumbling block to finding God. I was talking this week with someone who went to a large Christian college filled with rules. I too went to a Christian college, and while we had rules, not to the extent of my friend's college.

Many churches are the same way. And deep down, I understand the logic behind many of the rules.

But rules won't show us God. Only by walking with Him, only by talking with Him, only by entering a relationship with Him will we be able to live freely and lightly.

God came down to the Garden of Eden each night to walk and talk with Adam and Eve. He still desires to do so with you and me, and thanks to the blood of Jesus nearly two thousand years ago, He can.

All we have to do is welcome Him when He comes. God loves us so much He won't force Himself on us. But if we invite Him in, He will walk with us, He will talk with us, He will laugh and cry and simply hang out with us.

Are you ready to live freely and lightly? Invite God back into a relationship with you today.