Our Freedom in Christ

[Flora]

In the Geftakys organization, we lived with rules, regulations and extreme consequences. Although freedom in Christ was preached, our experience was anything but freedom. The rules and extreme consequences go way beyond anything I have ever experienced in all my years with the brethren assemblies. Yes, I was raised with rules; but it was nothing in comparison to what I experienced in the Geftakys organization.

My husband helped me understand what it really means to be free in Christ. In Christ, there is no need for rules and regulations. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. The Holy Spirit indwells us and helps us make choices that will honour Christ. So in Christ, our behaviour will be Christ honouring without the assistance of rules. The Holy Spirit gives us inner self control.

When a church enforces these outer controls, it is an indication that they don't trust you to make Christ honouring choices. They don't trust you to exercise inner self control, and to lean on God to keep you from sin. It seems they feel they have to legislate what they perceive as holy living in order to achieve a testimony of holiness. However, the exact opposite happens - people don't witness holy living, instead they witness a life bound by rules and regulations with harsh consequences if a rule is broken. What a false testimony to Christ that is!

Daily living by leaning on His everlasting arms produces a true testimony of holiness.
God is able to give us the inner strength to choose for Him, without rules and regulations. Choosing for Christ might very well mean breaking their rules. However, when we are free to choose for Him, He blesses us with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
 
Lord bless,

Flora