you are free to risk being good
Much of our lives is dictated by expectation. Haunted by an over abundance of assumed demands, we find ourselves buried under the weight of our insufficiencies wondering if we could ever live up to all that we presume is asked of us. It’s not a matter of if we can do better—in order to be good enough, we must. But, inevitably, the goal of good enough is perpetually out of reach. For so many, the efforts to constantly perform are met with the unrelenting hostility of the inner critic, the insatiable tyrant. The only possible outcomes of this internal war are anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, despair… To this point, very few people today are surprised that neuroticism is drastically on the rise—and, the church is not exempt.
Sadly, these experienced anxieties are commonly superimposed on our relation to God. We label Him a god of disappointment who continually looks upon the efforts of our spiritual disciples disapprovingly. This theological perspective may not be outwardly voiced in our Bible study conversations, but it is present in subtle displays: the timid tone of our prayers, the resistance to share our struggles, the desperate efforts to present (and be presented) well before others, the provided apologies for not always being able to say yes. And, this is the foundation of legalism. We view God as the insatiable tyrant who starts all things with a demand for perfection.
The truth is, God does demand perfection (Matthew 5:48)… but, He doesn’t start there.
Yes, the Christian life is a call to a more difficult way to live, a narrow path, in which we take up our cross daily (Matthew 16:24-26) and choose to die as lowly servants (Mark 9:35) for the sake of loving others (John 15:13). It is not an easy way; we must live as Christ lived. However, we do not run our race with the hope of achieving a prize at the finish; yes, we vigorously race as though to win (1 Corinthians 9:24) because the prize is the upward calling of Christ (Philippians 3:14). We do not run to heaven for the hopes of getting in; we run to heaven because we have already been accepted in. We do not run to achieve a prize; we joyously race because we have already received the prize! “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” (Luke 12:48b). We do not attempt to live perfectly for the chance to granted eternal life. We have already been given eternity; therefore, we seek to live perfectly.
So much is demanded of us, but it starts with grace!
Starting with grace means you can dare to try loving your neighbor, you can risk attempting to live as Christ lived, and you can do so knowing that the LORD already made you beyond good enough.
Your attempts to love and serve others will not always be well received; you’ll make mistakes. But, you are free to try! The desire to stand on truth may not come out as you intended. Try, try again. As a Christian, you are commanded to fervently and ceaselessly endeavor, but you are not required to succeed. You started your race already declared victorious!
There should be no fear of failure, no shame of insufficiency, no anxiety of expectations; there is only a call to run joyously knowing the victory has already been won.
Therefore, start with grace.