“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm…You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:1,7 NIV
Do you remember how you felt when you first became a
Christian? You felt a deep sense of joy and freedom that comes from being totally forgiven. You had e new purpose and no longer felt guilty.
Gradually, you lose your joy because of one of these three common traps.
The trap of perfectionism is when you try maintaining a perfect performance in order to stay saved. The perfectionist says, “God accepts me because of my near-perfect living.” This trap steals your joy and freedom. Your relationship with God becomes a duty instead of a delight, and you end up frustrated rather than fulfilled.
The trap of legalism is when you measure your maturity by how many rules you keep. The legalist says, “If I go to church on Sunday mornings, do weekly Bible studies, and witness to others, I’m a good Christian.” So, do you stop doing these things? No. Just change your motive from “I have to” to “I want to.”
The trap of conformity is being controlled by the expectations of other Christians. It takes your eyes off the Lord and puts them on everyone else. New believers don’t care what others think; they just love the Lord and talk to him without using fancy words. But conformity says, “Oh, that’s how I’m supposed to be a Christian. I guess I’ll do it their way.”
How do you keep joy in your life? Accept God’s grace. It’s how you began your life in Christ; it’s how you continue.
“So then, as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him.” Colossians 2:6, NIV