freedom, sweet freedom

Yesterday, I went to chapel which doesn't happen much anymore because I don't have to. A professor was speaking out of one of the Kings, talking about Solomon and his unrighteousness towards God. How he was the wisest man who ever walked the earth, yet he was so foolish. He talked about how the way he loved women was the same type of love that is described in marriage, how Solomon loved God the same way he loved those women. 

He went on into a tearful explanation on how we, as college students, are just like solomon, we love the Lord in a lukewarm way. He asked the heart wrenching question: "Are you an admirer of Christ or a disciple?" (I mean who is going to say they're a disciple? Really.) There really was no hope or redemption in the message. I felt condemned for choosing to watch the Bachelor instead of doing homework or something productive. And I don't do "bad" things, like scroll through Pinterest or write papers during chapel. 

He asked the question dozens of speakers have asked from that same stage, "What would this campus look like if you walked out of this building on the straight and narrow?!" I always wonder what those people think would actually happen if 2,000 students walked out of the building "on the straight and narrow path". "REVIVAL?!" "HEALING!!" "VISION AND PROPHECY?". I'm no theologian, or expert in anything really, just a 21 year old that has lived and experienced the bondage of religion, trying hard to walk the "straight and narrow" because some theologian, pastor, or friend told me that's when the world will change. 

YOU cannot, will not, do not have the power to change the world. If you walk out of a chapel or church service and say, "Today I will walk the straight and narrow, I will suffer because the pastor said that will bring good things." You are setting yourself up for death by disappointment and condemnation. But let me tell you something, Jesus has the power. 

Do you want to see people change, hearts softened, and vision become reality? Quit trying. Stop trying to walk the straight and narrow, it's not going to work. You'll mess up one time and realize you're screwed for the rest of eternity because you think God is disappointed or angry. 

The Professor told this story about how he wants to loose 20 pounds but he likes pie too much so he hasn't been able to. He referenced Paul in Romans 7 and something about how he needs to go repent in his prayer closest when he eats pie. 

If you want to be a "light", live the "straight and narrow", "be the only Gospel people see" stop trying. Take a moment to realize how much you are love and accepted, seen as righteous and clean, you are understood and still pure because: 

THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST YOU HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE LAW AND THUS BOUND TO JESUS. 

(7:24) Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (8:1) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

What is the "Power of sin that leads to death"? The Law, and the misunderstanding that we can somehow work hard enough to live a life on the "straight and narrow" on our own will. 

When you taste freedom you are free, when you experience love, you will love, when you know peace, you share peace. Christ has set you free, so live free. 

And please, eat some freaking pie and enjoy it because you have also been set free from the condemnation of calories.