Apr. 25: The Soul Patrol

I heard the other day that a popular singer, who is very committed to ending global warming, wants Americans to reduce energy use and is calling for laws to be enacted to limit toilet paper use—only one square per…ummm…”visit”, two or three in cases of a “dire emergency.” I suppose this is an effort to limit the number of trees cut down each year.

If you enact a law you typically have someone who enforces that law. Can you imagine the TP Police going around to make sure no one exceeds their one square limit? I understand that this “star” is seriously trying to get this legislation passed. Lots of luck. I imagine someone getting “busted” for TP overuse can use a method of defense that was effective for Jesus: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Let him who is not guilty of overuse be the one to enforce the rules. No one would be left to make an accusation.

Okay, this is going downhill fast. Here’s the point: religion often become legalistic and enslaving like that. If religion is based on keeping the law, or a set of rules, then someone is (self) appointed to enforce the rules, to police the actions of others. I think that’s why many people are uncomfortable when they find themselves in the presence of clergy; they assume that person is going to “police” them and chide or “guilt trip” them for any perceived rules violations.

Spirit-led people don’t need to be policed. They do the right thing because they are God-driven and therefore self-controlled. The Apostle Paul put it like this:

“You, my brothers, were called to be free… 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law (or in need of the law).
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (or no need for a law). 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:13, 16-18, 22-25)

Who would enact a law against people being loving, or joy-filled, or patient, or good, or loyal? You don’t need a law, or law enforcer, for people who are being led by the Spirit of God. The problem is our sinful nature and the Spirit are at odds with each other and desire opposite things. One desires the gratification of selfish desires and the other desires God’s Will to be accomplished. “The Message” paraphrases it like this:

19 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; 20 trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; 21 the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on... If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom." (Galatians 5:19-21, MSG)

~ Father, lead me by your Spirit, set me free, let the “fruit” of our relationship be a blessing to others. Amen.