Freedom from Obligation

"My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  It seems that obligation is often present in our lives, "I have to...", "I should....", "I got to...", "I ought to...", and "there is so much I need to get done..."  If any these words have been coming out of your mouth or those around, it could be that obligation is at work.  Some will say what about duty, responsibility, and being faithful.  I agree these often are good but when this becomes the center of our relationship with Jesus, I believe something is off.  Soon these type of attitudes of the heart, lead to words from our mouth, which form belief systems, and those belief systems create expectations, and those expectations drive our choices.  What only seemed like some things we needed to get done can become a lifestyle of obligation that is heavy.  Being yoked to Jesus is a kind yoke that fits well and is not harsh.  Jesus was declaring a battle cry in Matthew 11:28-30 to the very people who were under a ton of obligation through Law and laws, the Pharisees.  They had turned the Law into an additional laws that was such a heavy weight there were over 680 laws.  They were putting heavy yokes on people and Jesus words in Matthew 11 stood in stark contrast to the ways and words of the Pharisees to the people.

Holy Spirit began to speak to me about obligation because I seem to live under quite a bit, which robs joy and weighs down.  Often as obligation weighs down on us we look for ways of escape under the heavy weight but Jesus comes to give us a whole new yoke (form of teaching) which is both easy and light.  Romans 8:12 tells us we are not under obligation to the flesh but we live life in the freedom of the Spirit.  The flesh is based on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which often leads to us seeking to gain by self-effort what God has freely given us by grace in Jesus Christ.  "Religion" assumes separation from God and then sets out to tell us how to earn our way back.  This is not the freedom and life the Gospel proclaims but a "religious spirit" can penetrate the Body of Christ leading us away from our affection for Jesus.

From Father's love He sent Jesus to free us from the heavy chains of obligation to the flesh, law, and "religion" through an abiding relationship with Jesus.  Rules, obligations, and duty are stale compared to the brilliant wander of who God is for us.  There is such joy and adventure in this journey with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit where we are caught up in their fellowship, plans, and intentions for us.

Free to Live by the Spirit,
Bret