Avoid Legalism/Walk In The Spirit
By Johnny Angel
Dear friends,
When I was in high school, I enjoyed going to dances with 4-H, Beta
Club, etc. I enjoyed the upbeat dance music and having fun in a clean
atmosphere. Sometimes I went too far goofing off and did things that
weren't too appropriate. But lots of times, my goofing off helped me
form relationships with those around me that God could use for me to
point them to Him.
As we look at different people in the Bible and how they shared their
faith, we see some people who best witness by getting right to the point
and always using scripture. But this is not the way that works best for
me. I am a relationship-based person. When Matthew decided to
follow Jesus, he had a party for all the other tax collectors. Jesus was
at the party. And I find this is how I witness best.
In fact, let's think about Jesus stopping to work with Matthew.
According to the society of Jesus' day, Matthew was a sinner and the
scum-of-scum. So were the prostitutes, sick people, non-Jews, and
basically anyone who did not follow the status quo. The Pharisees and
Sadducees had legalized their religion so much that there were tons of
rules people had to follow when all along all God wanted was people's
hearts and for people to worship Him in spirit and truth. Jesus made it
clear that the person who owed more would be more grateful than the
person who "did everything right to start with."
So I came to college hanging out with some of the friends I met at
those 4-H events. We had our dance music in common. But the world
I entered was not the sheltered one where people knew I was just
goofy when I was busting moves on the dance floor. Instead, I was
running into people who wanted to let that lead into trouble. And my
friends were turning out not to be so safe to be around.
My first mission trip completely broke me. I turned to people who
seemed to be strong Christians and found a church that was very
mission-minded. But I found out that it's impossible to do everything.
And I found myself getting rid of my music to please other people and
try to go by their standards. I also allowed other people's
understanding to make me give up my music.
In a way, it was good to get rid of the dance music. It got me to the
point where God was all I was focused on. It eleminated some
distractions and forced me to hear God saying loud and clear that He
wanted me to do ministry.
But the legalistic point-of-view I was developing was just not right.
Futhermore, temptation in more dangerous areas than dance music
was hitting me full force. It was becoming impossible to enjoy being a
Christian and serving God. It seemed like I was doing some things or
avoiding some things because of what I thought others expected of
me. In other words, I missed the whole point which was what God
expected of me.
God expects me to love Him and serve Him. He expects me to obey
Him. He wants my whole heart. He wants whatever I do, whether in
word or deed, to be for His glory. He gives me all the things in my life to
be used for Him and to build His kingdom. He does not expect me to
save anyone because I cannot save anyone. Only He can save
someone. He just wants me to plant seeds. And I may not see instant
results. What's important, though, is that I don't stop plantin' those
seeds!
As all my friends moved out of the dorm, I did a lot of reflecting over my
time in college. My first year, I was so determined to see the guys in
the dorm saved that I was posting all the Bible verses on how to be
saved all over my door. I tried to be friendly with them, but I wasn't
getting on their level. I look back and think of all the times I should
have stopped by to play Mortal Kombat with them and do stuff on their
turf and their level to break the ice and form relationships with the
prayer that they would be saved. I know that seeds were planted, but
they didn't get the fertilizer I should have thrown on them.
This year, I used Christian poetry and jokes to post on my door. I put
sheets of paper on my door for people to leave prayer requests. And
most importantly, I talked with the guys and tried to do stuff with them. I
treated them unconditionally as best as I could. Jesus went around the
people who needed His love. He didn't approve of what they did, but
He also didn't hover over them telling them what was wrong with them.
I found that a servant-based/relationship-based ministry produced the
most results. Lots of people talked with me about my beliefs. One guy
asked me for a Bible, and he read it when I gave it to him. A few other
guys talked to me about the stuff on my door. Mostly, though, we just
became friends. They knew I wasn't putting pressure on them.
And as I helped some people move out, there was a dance song on
the radio that went back to my days in middle school. I was goofing off
in the hallway doing my air-keyboard thing. This opened up the doors
for me to talk to a guy down the hall that I really hadn't had a chance to
talk with all semester. As I helped him move, God opened up the doors
for me to invite him to church and witness in a non-pressure situation.
He saw that I really cared and was more receptive to what I had to say.
I've been struggling for some time with these things. God has really
spoken to me this weekend. When I try to work with my youth group at
church, I am always wanting to see God work in their lives. I want to
see them fired up for God and witnessing to their friends. But God has
shown me that I need to work with them expecting growth but taking
them where they are and allowing them to stay where they are until
they are ready to grow. God doesn't force any of us to let Him have
control of our lives. We have to make that choice. And He is very
patient with us. In the same way, we should be very patient with those
who we try to minister to.
In trying to minister and witness, we will have to step outside our
comfort zones. Sometimes we will be around tremendous temptation,
and we may even mess up. But God just wants a willing heart. He is
always ready to forgive when we fail. And He will not lead us
anywhere that He doesn't plan to be with us and help us out. The key
is to stay in the spirit and walk in the spirit so we will know what's going
on. We will know when we need to avoid a situation or place. We will
also know when we need to go to a place.
This is what's been on my heart. I pray that it will help you.
N Prayer,
Johnny <*}}}><