Here's a piece of wisdom from the breadmaker...
I know this - the question is do I live it? The answer if I'm honest is no - I don't. At lot of motivation for my actions comes out of guilt rather than out of love. I feel guilty that no-one has done the washing up...so I go and tackle the pile. Or I feel guilty that I've not worked hard enough on an assignment...so I resolve to try harder next time. Or I feel guilty that I've let someone down...so I buy them flowers. This does not mean that it is wrong to wash-up, work hard or buy flowers! The issue is rather the contract mentality which we apply to everything, and that we see our actions (or lack of action) as a breach of that contract resulting in a feeling of guilt. To become a christian is to become a child of God, a joint heir with Christ of all the riches of God's kingdom. And no good parent child relationship is based on guilt. Guilt makes us feel like constant inadequate failures where as love and discipline together builds character and creates secure Christians who are able to be more than conquorers through Christ! Next time you feel guilty that you've let God down, ask him to show you how his perspective and allow his grace to transform you. Rejoice that we don't live in a contract with God anymore - we are part of the family :)
I know this - the question is do I live it? The answer if I'm honest is no - I don't. At lot of motivation for my actions comes out of guilt rather than out of love. I feel guilty that no-one has done the washing up...so I go and tackle the pile. Or I feel guilty that I've not worked hard enough on an assignment...so I resolve to try harder next time. Or I feel guilty that I've let someone down...so I buy them flowers. This does not mean that it is wrong to wash-up, work hard or buy flowers! The issue is rather the contract mentality which we apply to everything, and that we see our actions (or lack of action) as a breach of that contract resulting in a feeling of guilt. To become a christian is to become a child of God, a joint heir with Christ of all the riches of God's kingdom. And no good parent child relationship is based on guilt. Guilt makes us feel like constant inadequate failures where as love and discipline together builds character and creates secure Christians who are able to be more than conquorers through Christ! Next time you feel guilty that you've let God down, ask him to show you how his perspective and allow his grace to transform you. Rejoice that we don't live in a contract with God anymore - we are part of the family :)
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