Addendum on Liberty

Read Galatians 5. The whole shebang.

It lashes out against those who deem themselves righteous, because they are circumcised. This principle is not limited to men, and it is not limited to the act of circumcision. Regular church attendance, baptism, confirmation, being raised in the faith, praising the lord through recitation of hymnals, marriage and charity seem righteous on the surface. The truth of the matter hinges on the guiding force behind these actions.

Is it the theatre performance of a thespian? Is it to make friends? Is it a competition  of who does more "good" in the world? The answer should be no. The Paraclete should be our guide. Leading us away from the grimy and grungy grip of hatred, to the luminous pathway of love. God could have abolished the opportunity to sin from our nature. In doing so we would be worse off than the chattel cotton pickers of the American South. We would be without choice, without freedom. Gracious God that he is, we were given liberty. If we elect sin as our guiding compass, then we have become slaves to sin. The counter-intuitive Christ allows us to have victory over the slavery of sin, through servitude to him. Our freedom hinges on choosing to obey his commandments. Numerous as they may be, they are summated in a simple to understand two step plan. Love God & love humans. Simplicity does not render a subject easy. It is not easy to love, but it is simple. We know what to do, but we struggle with how to do it.

Oh lord, thee has dominion over all of creation, and I am thy humble intern, grant us victory over our trespasses, as we elect thee as the lantern unto our way, I supplicate before thee that my brethren our lead unto liberty gained through love, praise be to the father, praise be to the son & praise be to the holy spirit, one God, AMAYN!

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)