Old Systems Die Hard

This is day 7 of a 31 day challenge. To catch up on all the other posts find them on my launch page here.

Old habits are hard to break. Even harder are old systems of living.

In Galatians 2:1-10, Paul describes in his letter how he went to Jerusalem to do some fact checking. Was in indeed spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ? Would the apostles add anything or reprimand him on something? No. They were on agreement. But Paul mentions how a question arose among some believers concerning circumcision and the language he uses is intriguing.

And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised though he was a Gentile.

Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there-- false ones, really-- who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we hav in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. (Galations 2:3-4, NLT)

Paul sounds infuriated. He doesn't even give credence to their claims as following the true faith. They are "so called" Christians who are trying enslave the believers into an old system. Their false claims end freedom and he will have none of it. Verse 5 continues: "But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you."

Ouch. I was rallying with the war cry until that sentence. Can we talk about a reality check? When have I entertained a false statement about myself? When have I accepted a new rule of another as my own? Honestly? Probably every single day.

Paul didn't give one inch to those who wanted to reinstall an old system of regulation. They had been given a new code to life by, one pure and free. Any change would corrupt the code.

The grace of God is all encompassing but that foundation of truth that burns so brightly can be snuffed out if we allow our hearts to entertain a falsehood. No wonder so many leaders in the church proclaim to daily renew your mind. It's not just a rule to follow, but wisdom to live by.

This push pull between the old way of life dictated by my regulations of good vs bad and the Code of Conduct file, are hard to demolish. I can promise you that I will continue to chew on this truth and struggle. I might even walk away from this post and start worrying about what people will think, do my words even matter?

 I think the obstacle is common when on Day 7, after accomplishing a full week of writing daily, you are met with discouraging words. But freedom doesn't change and each step forward keeps everything in motion. A body in motion stays in motion, a body at rest, stays at rest.

So just keep moving and let the old systems rest. The upgrade is so much better anyway.