Many times we are confused because the enemy (devil is his hideous name) dangles confusing but juicy options before us in every facet of life. We like our entire fore progenitor from Adam and Eve always assume knowing the right thing automatically means having the power to choose and do the right thing. Else, how can Adam and Eve have missed the simple instruction they were given; eat from these (note plurality) trees but don’t eat from this tree (note that it is specific and singular). So, how come she ended dialoging with the deceiver (deceit is his own game and he’s the master of it and father of all who practice such, no matter in whose name and under whatever guise), accepting his rationale and forthwith basing the exercise of her (their) freewill and liberty on his confusing argument, when God’s instruction had been explicit and simple, don’t eat of this, period!
In our modern world, societal acceptable values and norms have greatly changed. Before (though not too many years ago), mere mention of Christianity portray and elicit fortitude and integrity; a splendid weave of upright character that no evil can be said about. However, in our present precarious times, many people, even most church folks don’t really understand what the ‘hell’ being a Christian is all about. No wonder we now have qualifying adjectives for our modern day Christianity: good Christian, strong Christian, cool Christian, nominal Christian, and what have you?
Christianity gives you the awesome but dangerous privilege to live your reality, whatever that may mean or indicate to you, however, there is a clear boundary. Peter the Apostle warned early Christians in 1 Peter 2:16: “As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing.”(BBE). He emphasized the fact that they were indeed free. Free from what? Slavery? Certainly no! There is a clear eternal difference between being a Christian and going to church; attending or belonging to a fold, congregation or denomination. This is where a lot of good, well meaning folks got it wrong and twisted.
Church attendance, affiliation or membership doesn’t and will never qualify you to earn and rightfully bear that sacred appellation, Christian. No! No spiritual cleansing, consecration, ordination, investiture, meritorious award, faithful service to God (or those who have substituted or constituted themselves as and super imposed themselves on parishioner as God, whatever and whichever), will ever qualify you as a Christian before God, before whom we will eventually stand and with whom we have to deal, both now and in eternity. Being a Christian makes you go to church (or whatever name you choose for the building where you worship God), but unfortunately church attendance or affiliation doesn’t make you a Christian, not even a bad one, period!
Christianity is life in Christ Jesus or living your life after and at the prompting and by the dictates of Jesus: living the way Jesus Christ would have lived, if he was in you present and peculiar situation. That’s why Apostle Peter warned them that, “…but living as servants of God”. And this cannot be initiated or entered into without haven obtained freedom from sin and its power through a personal life changing encounter with Jesus Christ. This great freedom and liberty is what Peter the Apostle was warning those Christians about.
Why? Because, once saved and free from sin and its power, you are no longer subject to any laws or by laws, you literarily become the law you must obey. Your check and balance, conscience and law become your obedience to the Holy Spirit who God sends into your heart at salvation. And this is the crucible, it’s left to your obedience of that still small voice who always gently but clearly and firmly illuminate and instruct you about right and wrong in every situation. But the issue is how often do you set aside and ignore His directions, instructions and corrections, in preference of your personal perceived reality.
