The Only Thing That Counts

CONSIDER THIS

As the story goes, following the Civil War, an old former slave woman in the South was confused about her status. She asked, “Now is I free or not? When I go to my old master he says I ain’t free, and when I go to my own people they say I is, and I don’t know whether I’m free or not. Some people told me that Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation, but master says he didn’t; he didn’t have any right to.”

Listen up. Jesus has set us free. A true freedom. A lasting freedom. Freedom from religion. Freedom from an endless list of do’s and don’ts. Freedom from guilt and shame and condemnation. Freedom from the penalty and power and presence of sin. 

Sad to say, many Christians cling to their “old master” of legalism — working endlessly to obey too many manmade rules to earn their way to salvation. No amount of obedience makes up for one disobedience.

There is only One who ever lived the perfect life. And He offers His life for yours. 

So don’t waste what He did for you.

Focus on what matters: Faith that expresses itself in love. Have faith in Jesus, not yourself. Trust in what Jesus did, not in what you do. Live in the only thing that counts. Take hold of Jesus’ proclamation, stand in His freedom, no matter what others may say.