Let Them Enjoy It

John 5:8-11 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

It amazes me that even today, many Christians still struggle with what it means to be truly free. In Christ, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and fear; but we must also remember that we have been set free from the Law. When I say we are set free from the Law, I mean the ceremonial part of the Law (the religious rituals). We are still accountable to the moral part of the Law (the thou shalt not part). However, Jesus made it clear that the Law is fulfilled when we love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). The Apostle Paul put it this way in Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" The Jews cared more about keeping a ritual than they did the wellbeing of this man who helplessly suffered for so many years. Sadly, that has not changed much today. Far too often we are more concerned about keeping some religious ritual or holding someone hostage with our personal convictions, rather than sincerely caring about what is the real need in someone's life. Those who are legalistic in their approach to Christianity do great harm to the cause of Christ by overlooking the one command that Jesus Himself said was one of the greatest commandments, "Love your neighbor as yourself." We all have liberty in Jesus, but keep in mind that the Bible makes it clear that we are not to use our liberty as an occasion to sin. So, the next time we see someone who is not sinning, but has a different conviction than we do, and is simply enjoying their freedom and liberty in Christ; do not judge them, but instead rejoice that they too have been set free in Jesus.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).