In the next section of her book, Hannah Smith talks about the bondage of the soul. This bondage results from a stern sense of duty and obeys the law of God because of a fear of punishment or a hope for a reward.
By contrast, in freedom, the believer serves for love. Even though God intends freedom, many Christians still serve in bondage.
Smith reminds us that it is not what humans do, but who they are that is important. God wants us to be new creatures and that means that doing is valuable only as an indication of being.
Many Christians think that taking up the cross means doing something we ought to do, but dislike doing. The religion of doing always exalts the self; the emphasis in on my doing. On the other hand, the religion of liberty leaves the self nothing to glory in because the focus is on Christ.
Once we experience freedom, we may think something is wrong because there is no cross. When we live apart from Christ, we can’t receive his gifts. When we live in Christ, we are ready to accept all the blessings he has for us.
There is much to learn from here. My only reservation comes from the fact that many believers do experience the cross in their lives. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t exempt us from suffering. Often we don’t know why the cross has come into our lives, only that it has. We continue to trust God to bring us through difficult times.
Recent Comments