Traditions of Men
Today, I physically feel weight on my shoulders because of the actions of those who claim to love Christ freely, but have burdened Christ’s children with their own opinions. I feel hurt and powerless, abused and taken advantage of. But my sorrow isn’t only for me, it’s for them as well. Legalism. It has been following me around my entire life, like some wretched disease I can’t shake. There was a time when I was overtaken with it, fully infected myself and blissfully unaware. But the older I got, the more I realized how judgmental I had become. It was so bad that I looked down on anyone that didn’t share my opinion, my "God-given" opinion at that. Everyone needed to obey my rules and standards, or they weren’t being good Christians. It was a startling moment of clarity when I realized my behavior. While studying the Gospels I found that I could relate to the Pharisees more than I could the disciples. Instead of being open to learn, I had shut the book on my relationship with ...