Relax

Many of my posts are about taking our faith in Jesus Christ seriously. We should be very serious about "walking out our salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12). However, when it come to receiving that "peace that passes all understanding," (Philippians 4:7) how are we to behave? Many shrines and churches have polices that keep women with uncovered arms from enter the church. While we should be respectful and "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters" (Romans 14:1); we should also consider is this what Christ would want? If we look at where Jesus spent his time, we might be surprised to know he spent little time at the Temple or in synagogues and spent more time at Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus sat, ate with and spent time in company of sinners. In fact, the Pharisees once said when murmuring, "See! Look he eats with tax collectors and sinners! To which Jesus knowing their minds and hearts said in response, "The well have no need of a doctor, it is the sick who have need of a physician." (Mark 2:17). This is not to make case that Jesus was accepting of sin and self indulgence, no He had standards as seen in his multitude of sermons like, "Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me," (Matthew 16:24) and "Very few Rich men can enter the kingdom of heaven, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle," (Matthew 19:23-24) being but a few examples of the difficult to stomach words of the Lord.

I think religion makes serious errors. To make people feel like they must be ritualistic and perfect in the presence of churches, icons, and other symbols of the faith creates the antitheses of the Spirit of god. Jesus said, "I must go away or else the Comforter will not come." (John 16:7). That Comforter is the Holy Spirit. Churches should be havens for believers, where you can relax and get a tan like women in the picture or for children to play in pews (respectfully) and letting they joy fill the church at the proper time of course; when people are praying and trying to concentrate would be inappropriate.

I understand the laws, rules, and regulations of church sites, shrines, and missions. They want to prevent people with wicked dispositions from disturbing the atmosphere and experience. But at the same time often the innocent and God fearing people who want to merely relax and enjoy God's peace are scrutinized and even judged if they don't bow at the right time and seem too cozy and thus come across as disrespectful. Shouldn't Christians feel cozy in churches? Otherwise, what is the point? Again respect and an honoring attitude must be paramount, but our God wants to be close to us.

There is a great quote, "God is perfect, but He's not a perfectionist." Jesus spilt His blood and died a brutal death to cleanse us and make us perfect in His sight. And yet, we still endeavor to do works to be worthy, to seek approval, and to be closer to the Lord. What if we relaxed? I am not talking about feel free to sin and be like the world; no we are called to " not conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds." (Romans 12:2). What I mean by relax, is what if we resting the peace of the Prince of Peace? I know right now that "all  being are being shaken and will be shaken." (Hebrews 112:27). War, terror, and plethora of hardships are mounted like mountains over many believers. I am not saying to lay down your spiritual sword and lay in hammock forever, but Jesus did say, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matthew 11:27-28).

It's ok to relax in Christ. Don't become lax in your faith and lethargic in turning from sin (repent, stop sinning), but relax in the peace of Jesus Christ. Even when all around you is falling apart, remember that the Lord Jesus Christ loves you (1 John 4:19), wants the best for you (Hebrews 11:21), and will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).