I have been overwhelmed by the Freedom I have in Christ as of late. It is really sad that allow legalist teaching to rob me of the joy from this freedom for much of my Christian life.

Romans 8:38-39 has reinforced that joy of late.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38 -39

Wow what a statement. Thank you Paul! I find the thing that often makes feel like I am separated from God is my inability to follow the rules. I have never been good at following the rules. I attended an elementary school in WV for the first 3 years of my educational life. Mabscott Elementary was all about rules. We had to walk with our hands behind our back between classes so not to get fingerprints on the wall. We walked to “recess” and had to wait to be dismissed to whatever type of recreation was planned for us that day, usually calisthenics. Finally we had time everyday to just sit quietly at our desks. Needless to say I did not do well in this school. I would be physically ill at the prospect of going to school. I lived in trouble.

I treated Christianity like I was at Mabscott for much of my Christian life. I did not have joy because I kept leaving fingerprints on God’s walls. Who knew that God didn’t really sweat fingerprints on his walls?

God wants the best for us that is why we have the law. It makes us realize our need of a Savior and it shows what would be best for our lives. A goal set before us. Yet, failing to keep the letter of the law will not separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Whew, what a relief!