Following Jesus

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 

Recently, while talking with a friend, she told me of a lady that is becoming tied up in the rules and regulations of what she must wear, do, not do, etc. She is so concerned that she will sin if she doesn't follow strict rules of conduct, she has lost sight of the grace and mercy that we have through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. (Gal 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.) 

We are saved by grace alone and trying to live under the law negates the work of the cross. We no longer need to be tied up in the Pharisee style of living. Jesus has given us the privilege of living in freedom from fear. We need not fear losing our salvation because of what we do or don't do.  

We came to Christ by accepting the gift of eternal life that was priceless but free. When we add 'things' to what we must do to be 'good Christians', we lose sight of the freedom we have to be who God has created us to be. We have the freedom to live according to grace we have been given.  

Jesus desires us to feel free to run to Him no matter the circumstances. We are welcomed into the throne room of grace because He delights in us. He wants us to understand that we well be given trials and struggles to help us become more of who He wants us to be, but He does not expect us to conform to man-made laws that take away our joy and spontaneity of worshiping Him whenever we choose.  
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Our relationship with the Redeemer of our souls is far more important than the 'things' we do. Jesus delights in us. He rejoices over us with singing. We are the apple of His eye. He loves us with a love that is beyond anything we can begin to comprehend. How can we add to that?