Outfit & Thoughts || Boho Spring // Liberty
Hi all! Another week, another outfit - it sure is fun having new clothes! I seem to be going through a season of updating my wardrobe. Happily, my closet loses a few old clothes when new items go in. I'm not sure if the number of things going out is quite the same as those going in, but I try my best. ;)
The new piece I'm sharing today is a graphic print tee featuring one of my favorite colors - mint! Casual but classy, this tee is a great addition to my options for spring and summer. It paired well with my new maxi skirt (already a comfy favorite). A lace vest added an elegant, somewhat bohemian touch, as well as a teensy bit of warmth.
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Confession time - I'm not perfect. Oh, you already knew that. ;) Part of the Christian life for you and me is a daily struggle with sin, as we do, say, and think things we are later ashamed of. Our God is gracious to forgive us and help us to grow. In the midst of grace, however, we must be careful not to give way to a wrong way of thinking though. What I'm talking about is the area of Christian liberty.
Yes, as believers we are not under the law. We certainly won't lose our salvation or knock off points with God every time we sin - He forgives! This still doesn't make us free to sin it up. In Romans, the apostle Paul wrote about the new life we live in Christ:
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:1-4
It's obvious that bold disobedience is wrong. What about more subtle thoughts though? "God is gracious and He isn't a big meanie in the sky, so I'm not going to cage myself in a set of strict rules!" Standards slip with our media intake. The language we use becomes rougher. We start going to places and doing things that "old-fashioned" Christians would disapprove of. We treat others with bitterness, or watch them wallow in their own sin.
Living in the world is not easy, and never has been. Sin saturates everything around us, and it's hard not to let things go in our lives. I know I'm guilty of this. At the same time, we are called to be salt and light, and not to let our "salt" become tasteless (Matthew 5:13). Furthermore, look at what Galatians 5:13-14 says about freedom and love:
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Living for Christ is a serious matter. Glorifying God and being a light to the world are serious privileges given to us by the Lord. This week, I challenge us to take this to heart and think about places where "Christian liberty" has become an excuse for sin in our lives. Thanks for reading!
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him
Romans 6:8
Oh, this outfit is simply stunning on you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Paige! :D
DeletePerceptive point (and a lovely outfit). There's a Psalm (19?) that demonstrates a progression that I found illuminating: cleanse me from secret faults, keep me from presumptuous sins, then I shall be innocent of great transgressions. And all prefaced by saying that none can understand his errors. All that to say, Christian "liberty" is where most of our—at least most of my—secret sins have always been rooted. Well written and very well aimed.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :) Thanks also for sharing the progression of the Psalm, it's really neat to look atthe specific things it lays out!
DeleteYou look like such a lady. Very pretty. I appreciate your writings. You pose quite a challenge. I know the new testament covenant is based on appreciation and love as it says, He writes His law in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) I've had a hard experience with law and liberty. Some people expect me to live as they do, going to church 3 times a week, never joking, never wearing shorts, not doing certain activities, living perfectly, and yet I don't even like being around them. Religiously assured but cold. I struggle as a Christian, I have passions, emotions to deal with. I'm not perfect, but my heart continually really loves God and others. I wish I didn't grow up under such laws, but that I could live freely from my heart what I've proved to be good and loving unto others, rather than doing their expectations with resentment to avoid confrontations. That is not the law of liberty. Every church has religiousness, and it's hard pleasing people when I don't understand the purpose of a law. I feel like Jesus (full of mercy and grace) living among pharisees who resent their own laws, but yet fear breaking them, while discriminating anyone who differs. But yet you're right, it's easy to let sins slip when we know we're already forgiven, and forever loved. It'd be easier if I could more fully understand the amount of the debt He forgave me. If only I could please God perfectly for one day. Thank God His mercies are new every morning!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that another tendency of we imperfect humans is to create our own laws and guidelines to force people into. I'm sorry that you had to grow up in that environment! It's another thing that's frustrating to see. This kind of legalism is definitely like the Pharisees, as you said. Sometimes in churches or groups we need to create guidelines about certain things, but should be very careful about not to put our rules in the same category as scripture.
DeleteI guess what I'm talking about is living a life that is set apart to God and not falling into looking just like the world. Our heart attitude can be more of "What can I get away with?" than "How would I be most glorifying to God?" While Jesus condemned the Pharisees, he also saw into their hearts and said things like an attitude of hate is the same as murder.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love this outfit, Paige. You look spectacular, as always :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your insightful look at this topic. I certainly have days I struggle with the "but I've been forgiven" attitude. Yes, yes I have been forgiven. That doesn't mean I should abuse that grace. Paul's message in Romans is one I quote to myself quite often. Thank you for the reminder and for the challenge. I do hope to live for Christ and free from sin and I hope the same for all my fellow believers.
Aw, thanks Amanda! :)
DeleteVery true! I'm glad you appreciated and related to this post. May we all strive what you have said!
Very nice new top, love the splash of mint to brighten up the gray! Good color combination,always look so nice;) you made some very good points it is hard in this society. We need to dig deep in our heart and live for Christ to the best of our ability. Thank you for bringing to the surface as a good reminder:) Stephanie
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! :D Yes, it is hard in this culture. Thankfully, our God is so kind to pick us up when we fall down. You're welcome!
DeleteI think this is one of my favorite outfits I've ever seen you post Paige! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks a bunch!
DeleteYou look great in this outfit Paige - it really suits you
ReplyDeleteThanks muchly Rebecca! :D
DeleteSuch a cute outfit!! Mint and gray seem to be in colors, and I really like them. :) I don't think that mint looks the best on me, but I always enjoy seeing others wear that color!
ReplyDeleteHi Bethany, thanks so much! :D
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