Can I be a 'cussin' Christian?

Every Christian will desire to live in a way that pleases the Lord and honors Christ; in big and small ways. If pleasing God is not a first line priority then there is real question about the reality of knowing Christ as Savior, which is a much more serious thing than what rules to observe! Some of the moral and ethical choices that God desires of us are explicit. We must be loving, forgiving, kind people. Angry, vengeful, and hateful are just not part of the genuine Christian’s life.  A Christian knows that keeping his marriage vows is what God wants.  Generosity is written into the heart of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. 

But, what about those other issues?  Can I be a 'cussin' Christian?

The spiritual community in which I grew up was a ‘holiness’ church.  Many take shots at the rules we were taught as though they were meaningless or unimportant.  They were an attempt to guide us to a whole and holy life, and for that, I am thankful today.  There was a misplaced emphasis on looking good over actually being good. Even as a child, I knew “Christians” who were very good Pharisees. They were concerned about “cleaning the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they were full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)  But, underlying the rules was a real desire to pursue God, to know Him, and to please Him.  Many of us, however, confused rules with relationship.  We would never allow someone to drink a glass of beer or smoke a cigarette or attend a theater or utter an expletive and call himself a real Christian! For many of us, keeping those rules (any many more) became more important to some than loving God Himself!

From the beginning of the Christian faith, Christians had disputes about ‘right and wrong.’  In the city of Corinth dietary issues were fought over. Some Christians said it was fine to buy and eat meat leftover from the idol temple sacrifices. Others insisted it was sinful!  The early Christians, like some still today, argued about the proper day of worship- should it be the 7^th day, the Sabbath; or should it be the 1^st day, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection?  Paul reminded them that their aim was to please God and to live lovingly.   Their fighting was missing the point, making secondary issues into a primary ones.  "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. Here’s what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don’t ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won’t be bothered." (1 Corinthians 10:23-25, NLT)  Some took too many liberties and missed out on the best way. Others asked far too many questions and enslaved themselves.  “So,” he says, “focus on the Lord, not on your own preference!  "Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT)

I am glad that when I was an infant in Christ there were guidelines given to me about going to church faithfully, about living purely, about cleaning up my speech, about where to seek entertainment. Some may laugh at the lack of sophistication that allowed some of those rules, but they served me well as fences when I needed them!  We do those who are immature in faith a disservice by being too reluctant to tell them that there are some good choices and some very bad choices!  With maturity in Christ, the Spirit writes His desires into my heart. I still make many of the very same choices!  Holiness is not silly or superficial; it is what God wants.  But, how we define holiness as mature, Spirit-filled disciples goes much deeper than what we eat or drink, what we wear, or where we go.  We recognize that we belong to Him – body, soul, and spirit – and that loving Him more means loving the stuff of life less.  Saying “yes” to the Spirit becomes a delight that replaces the dutiful “no” of legalism.

As you grow in grace, may the beauty of true holiness shine ever more brightly in you.  Take time to meditate on this word from the Word – God’s wisdom.

"We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. 
You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.

Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity. Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God. Don’t run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God’s concerns, and he will take care of them. We’ve warned you about this before.

God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside. If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, The Message)

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Father in Heaven, make it my heart’s desire to please You

In every choice, in every word, in every thought.

Keep me from the sin of superficiality, where I would be content

To merely look good on the outside.  Draw my heart to love You and others profoundly!

Protect me from the temptation to write rules for myself and others

In a fruitless attempt to restrain the sinful nature.

Instead, help me to choose love – always.

Give me the courage to answer temptation with an uncompromising “no!”

And, simultaneously, to shout an enthusiastic “yes!” to the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ, be glorified in me today and always until that glorious Day

When I find holy perfection in Your eternal Presence.

Amen