Legalism. I have a darkened heart for it.

I was raised on school uniforms and high achievement and following the rules and only being curious within a defined set of guidelines (you know what they say happened to the cat and all).

And so imagine suddenly gaining my freedom through Christ.

And then watching as the Christian world keeps struggling to follow “the rules.”

It looks like all sorts of shades of evil.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.” Galatians 5:1-2

Paul’s telling us to give up the legalism, to not hang our personal convictions over the heads of the entire group (that’s the way cults get started, friends), and realize that Jesus fulfilled the law, and therefore, we’re in no way imprisoned by it.

Because if we don’t? What Christ did for us becomes of no value to us.

Insert *shivers* here.

It’s cool if you’re not a fan of certain things in this world or if those things personally lead you astray. Then by all means, steer clear, friends.

But we can’t assume what God’s made good overall is bad for others just because we’re not a fan.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with people who would have rather dove into a barrel full of acid over drinking a glass of wine (which they deemed “sinful”) and yet their hearts were burdened with years of bitterness towards those they’ve harbored a grudge against.

Oy.

We all have that log that juts out just a bit too far. And I think this is why Jesus says the road to heaven is narrow. I used to feel threatened by that. Like, man, I’m in no way going to get down that path to the other side.

But after praying and meditating on this, I know that’s not what He’s saying at all.

He’s not saying I’m not “good” enough to walk down that path. He’s saying to watch for my own prideful heart that wants to judge others instead of internally considering what’s holding me back from truly submitting to Him.

Oy, again.

The Good News? He did die for us because He loves us and He was raised on the third day for us to truly know and experience freedom in this life and the next.

So let’s not get burdened down with the “shoulda, woulda, couldas,” and instead focus on the relationship with Him that He designed for us from the very beginning.