This is a topic I’ve wrestled a lot with myself. And I’ve gotten questions about it over the years, in differing forms and from different angles. Enough so, that I feel it’s worth speaking about. There are a lot of stigmas and stereotypes surrounding Christianity and one topic that people often come back to is this topic that Christians are bound by rules and are expected to do certain things to be accepted by God. In fact, I’ve often felt like this myself, to be perfectly honest. Yet, the more I study God and His characteristics for myself, the more I find this to be farther from the truth, and here’s why.

The Old Testament is one great example of why this is true. If you ever get the chance, read through the books of Exodus and Leviticus and others. These books are filled with God laying out very specific rules for His people, the children of Israel. Friends have asked me before, “Why would your God allow these violent rulings to take place back then?” The answer is fast forwarded to Jesus and His death on the cross. He died for the sins of the entire world, as atonement so that we no longer have to practice these rules. You see, the perfect form of freedom comes through Jesus’ blood. He sets us free from this and allows us to serve Him, no matter how unworthy we are. He died for the people that hate God. He died for the people that blaspheme His name. And He died for me, simply because He loves me. To me, that is true freedom. (Galatians 3:23-29)

The next reason I feel freedom in Christ also points back to His blood. You see, Satan is a crafty guy and He gets us entangled with repetitive temptations and sins. We feel ensnared by these choices in the moment and there doesn’t seem to be a way out. Yet, Jesus comes to us and says that we can find solace in Him. We can cut off the vines that are entangling us. He doesn’t promise that we won’t get cut and hurt through this process, but we will be free in the end. Jesus sets us free from the lie that we need things and people to fulfill us. If we allow Him, He will be our sole source of joy. (Colossians 1:13-14)

I also feel freedom in Christ because He gave me a free will. He wants to walk with us through all of our lives. He promises to spend each moment with us. And He is a guide to us. But, he’s not a dictator. This can prove to be frustrating when we try to “figure out God’s Will” for our lives. But this is the joy of the journey. He promises to bless our lives when we step out in courage and faith, pursuing to walk in His ways. And, when we are pursuing God’s plan, we don’t have to live in the fear of wondering what others will think about our decisions. We have already received the perfect stamp of approval from God. No matter what may come our way, we don’t have to worry. (Proverbs 16:9, 19:21, Matthew 6:25-34, Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Now, there is the portion of the Bible where God plainly lays out things that edify our lives and things that will destroy it. People have often explained this as a list of do’s and don’ts for Christian living. While we can choose to view it this way, I think that this can also become dangerous. If we live our lives in a constant checklist, we will never be able to fully experience God’s love and His wish for our freedom. Instead, these characteristics should be the response of a heart that is in love with the Creator. These things will naturally follow a heart that is yearning to be in a relationship with its first love and sustainer.