11-13 Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ’s suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they doobserve. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible!
14-16 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!
Galatians 6:11-16
Jesus is freedom, not bondage. Jesus is grace, not regulations. I think we all may have encountered people that care a little to much about outward appearance. I've met people who think tattoos, piercings, makeup, jewelry, wearing pants, and a list of other things, are wrong. To be honest these beliefs complex my mind, I can't help but read this scripture and see the freedom that burns in my Heavenly Fathers eyes as He looks at me. Holiness is important to God. Honoring Him with our dress, our mouths, our actions, and thoughts is an absolute must, but here's the thing there is a release of freedom in those things. When Jesus enters our lives and makes us over from the inside out we step into freedom not bondage. We don't step into this mindset of "okay this is my rule book, I can't say this and I can't wear that." We step into a new spirit and mind of "wow I'm finding myself not having the desire to say these things or do these things anymore and I have no idea why!" You see Jesus is in the business of making things new. He takes our dirty and broken hearts and transforms them into something completely different and so much better. One thing Jesus never tells us to do is boast in the flesh. He always tells us in His Word to boast in Him. Why? The flesh counts for nothing. The Bible tells us to not live by the flesh but by the Spirit! The flesh is what gets us in trouble! I just wanted to speak to those out there who have been wrestling with holiness and outward appearance. For me personally as a Christian girl, I've never been convicted by things like wearing jewelry, pants, makeup, I think if a man or woman of God wants to get a tattoo, go for it!!! If you want your nose pierced and pink hair and want to do that all while serving Jesus, please do!! Wear those cute jeans with the holes and that hot pink lipstick! Quite frankly in my humble opinion I don't think Jesus cares! Yes modesty is important, yes honoring God with our bodies is the will of God, but what's going on with your heart? Jesus cares about the heart. You can be all holy on the outside but going to hell on the inside. I've had people ask me if being a Christian girl effects what I wear. Yes it absolutely does. I won't wear things that are to revealing /provocative. Because I desire to honor God with my whole self. But I know with all that's in me, God does not care that I'm wearing lipstick. He does not care that LeCrae just got another tattoo. He does not care that the girl serving Him day and night with her life decided she wanted blue hair. God cares that we love Him, love people, and follow Him in this new freedom He has given us. He cares about the girl who is suicidal, he cares about His children whose lives are being threatened for their faith, He cares about the family struggling with finances. Just like Paul was talking about in the scripture above we've been given freedom in Jesus, not freedom to do what our flesh wants but to do what the Spirit wants. Christianity is not about appearance it's about sacrifice, submission, and pure love and joy! So let's step into this amazing grace of Jesus and step out of man made regulations. Life with Him becomes so much more filled with revival when we do this. I hope and pray this blessed you guys today. - Sofia
