Don't let anybody should on you!

The Grace Project has this article entitled: No Turning Back: Don't let anybody should on you!
Yes you did read that right! & it's true!

"Christianity is just a bunch of rules - Do this and Don't do that". Does that sound familiar to you? When we hear this, we try and convince who ever said it that it isn't true. But deep down there is this nagging suspicion that maybe they're right. How many times have you heard, "You should do this" or "You shouldn't do that" and why is it that there are more shouldn'ts than shoulds?!

And while we're on the subject of why, why does Paul (he of biblical fame) tell Timothy to "take hold of eternal life"? (1 Tim 6:11-12) Is Timothy not already saved? Well yes he is, but there is obviously something missing. The Christian life is not about following the rules and doing your best, it's about so much more. If this generation is going to set the world alight and not just burnout (by rule keeping), if this generation is to succeed where others before have failed then it will need to listen to Paul's advice . and take hold of eternal life.

But what does that mean? When Moses encounters God in a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-5), it changes his life. How can the bush burn without being consumed? The answer is profound; the fuel for the fire comes from God, not the bush. Moses' understanding of how God works is turned on its head at the beginning of this world-changing ministry. In serving God, it is possible to be on fire without burning out, because the fuel for the fire is God's and not ours. It changed Moses' life which then changed the world.

The Christian life is "no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me and the life that I live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). It is not about your efforts. It's not about you doing what you should (or shouldn't). It is about Him doing it through you. This is the eternal life, the God life that Timothy was told to take hold of, in order to run the race that God had set before him.

So, before you set out on this great adventure called Life. Before you try to do something great for God, let Him show you His plan. To first reveal Himself in you and then show Himself to the world through you.

Life - eternal life, abundant life, the life that God wants to pour into our lives is so different than what so much of the church settles for - discover his love - his grace - his life.