For The Sake Of

From the day that sin entered the world; legalism, condemnation, self-righteousness, and division has plagued the people of God. History records an unending cycle of negligence and renewal through the history of Israel and onward into the twentieth century.

I am a child of “freedom” being set free from the legalism of prior generations. My freedom allows me liberties that might be considered “Sinful” or “backslidden” by generations before me. I wear shorts and sandals to church, I only go to church once a week, listen to a broad variety of Rock music, and I have been known to whoop and jump up and down and clap in church. SCANDALOUS!!!

This is the new thing to do! to be “Radical” and “Tolerant”! I see a tidal wave of churches converting their services to “Contemporary” and joining the bandwagon of cool people like me!

I shake my head as “authenticity”, “worship”, “truth”, “passion” once again become trampled and unrecognizable in the en-masse rush to the new religion of freedom!

the great leaders that blazed a new trail back to the old paths, are forgotten, the old paths are left for something more comfortable- a new wider path of freedom!

Why do I say all of this?

I believe that we should check the slippery slope we stand on! I unreservedly believe that we should live free from condemnation and legalism. But at what point do we give up all things and become negligent?

I believe that we should do things for the sake of what they are, and what they represent!

Obviously God created us with free will and allows us every option through grace so that even at the last moment we could be snatched back from the maw of the pit.

For the sake of Mercy, be merciful
For the sake of Authenticity, be authentic!
For the sake of Truth, be truthful!
For the sake of Passion be passionate!
For the sake of Transparency, be transparent!
For the sake of Love, be loving!
For the sake of Peace, be peaceful!

the list can go on forever, I am just pleading with those that would dive off the cliff of freedom to do what you want at the expense of grace… Preserve these things!!!

these things are the things that we should treasure because they are facets of the nature of GOD!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.