So what does a Christian look like? For years we all thought it had something to do with what type of clothes we wore. Some thought it was how we had our hair cut or maybe whether a lady wore make-up or not. Maybe it's the church we attend or the social status we attain. Either way we have our ways of knowing what a Christian should look like and what they should or should not be doing. We serve the God of Rules instead of the God that rules.
For years now I have been preaching about the God of Liberty. Fact is, if you ask many church goers what is the first thing that God said to Adam and Eve concerning the garden He planted most say something about not eating of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. That's just simply not true. Genesis 2:16 says, (and I quote) "And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;NIV. It isn't till verse 17 that He places the one restriction on man kind. So how did the church get so negative? Why do we see the glass have empty instead of half full?
Now before you write me off hear me out. I understand scripture talks about some limits. In fact, Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." The word vision means to cast off restraint. I understand that the only difference between a river and a swamp is the limits called banks. My struggle is with our first impression of God and more importantly the first impression we give people about our God.
Why is this such an issue? Well, because when we see God in the wrong light our vision is blurred in all areas of life. Let me explain. When I say the word "peace" what comes to mind. For most, and I know I can't answer for all people, but for most our minds think of no conflict. When someone says the middle east is at peace. Or the middle east needs a "peace" treaty, this simply a fancy way of saying there is no conflict. Yet when God says "PEACE" I believe it means more than simply and absence of conflict. In your family you might not be fighting but still have no peace.
When we think about deliverance in the church we think mostly of someone not doing something. For instance, if someone is delivered from drugs that means they stop using drugs. If an alcoholic is delivered that means they don't drink anymore. Yet, when the word says, "He who the Son sets free is free inded" (John 8:36) I believe it means more than just an absence of something. Is it really freedom when an alcoholic wakes up and desires a drink even if he doesn't act upon his desires? I don't think so. I belive it's only true freedom when the desire is gone. Is it freedom when a drug addict wakes up half out of there mind wanting drugs? I don't think so. I believe true freedom is when the drug addict simply doesn't have the desire for drugs anymore.
So where did our view of God get so off? I really can't answer that. I am sure many of those who study church history to some greater extent than I can. I just believe that God is greater than our conflict and greater than our addictions. I believe when the Bible says that the demon possessed man was set free (Matt. 8) that it wasn't just an absence of the demons but a total deliverance. The woman at the well (John 4) would agree that God is a God of liberty and freedom. He who the Son sets free is free indeed! *