"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
I rest in these verses whenever I find the demands of religious activity beginning to weigh me down. It is too easy to forget the freedom that Christ bought for us at the cross, and that same freedom that the Holy Spirit builds into our being as children of God. This freedom is a gift and right that I refuse to give up. Religion and people would try to take this from me, but it is more valuable than anything this earth offers. As these verses clearly note, the Holy Spirit brings freedom — never bondage, never law, never rules — but a life of being transformed by that freedom daily into God's image. It is in this freedom that I have life.
The Holy Spirit brings freedom — never bondage, never law, never rules — but a life of being transformed daily into God's image.
And as days move into months and years, my life gains significance and purpose. I cannot explain it, but my thoughts are at peace; there is clarity and discipline in my life as I turn my thinking toward this Jesus. And people begin to notice. They turn and ask questions, startled by my peace. And I tell them.
Of significance found in knowing Jesus by studying his teachings and emulating his example. By choosing to not worry or fear, by loving and showing kindness. That there is satisfaction and depth to my days instead of the previous darkness and confusion. By participating in something that has been in me since eternity past. By following him, I am complete. My life makes sense.
Understanding this newfound favor of God each day staggers me. The implications of God on my side overwhelm me. His goodness implies that he is concerned, wants what is best for me, and will make sure to take care of me.
The presence of God fills me up — it inspires and animates my mind. Clear thoughts instead of confusion, direction and focus instead of wandering, and love instead of hate.
My significance builds on the understanding that God sees value in me. And if God sees value in me, then I must also see it in others. Not colored by my prejudices — but value outright because God does. I want to instill this atmosphere wherever I go. The peace in me and the turmoil around me drives this passion to create something bigger than this world.
Our individual experiential journeys need not follow the same path — but it is the same Spirit that lives in all of us.
Our individual experiential journeys do not necessarily have to focus on the same things that present-day Christianity emphasizes. Our culture and personality preferences can and do affect the direction we take as we try to make the revelation work for us. In other words, practices can vary widely. But it is the same Spirit that lives in all of us.
For instance, when attending churches in California, the approach to church was often laid-back — t-shirts and blue jeans, free-flowing singing where some of the music was made up as we worshipped. But to take these practices down South to the Bible Belt might get a person branded as a heretic.
In other words, be careful about imposing on other Christians' freedom. Obviously, if sin and immoral behavior is being tolerated, then that is not acceptable. However, just because something has never been done one way before does not mean it is wrong. If an early 5th-century Christian were to visit a modern California megachurch, there would be no common ground to grasp except for the centrality of Jesus — which still forms all true Christianity. But this 5th-century Christian would be no less a believer than we are today.