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A man, Jason, went to Heaven. He met God. God was talking to another man, Robert, whom Jason knew well during their lives on earth. God said to Robert, “Friend, I am very pleased with you, enter my Heaven.” To Jason, God said, “Friend, enter my Heaven.” Jason was confused and upset. He said, “God, I knew that man in my life. Robert rarely went to church, never joined a church, and he did not live much of a good life at all. How can you tell him you are very pleased with him, but you do not say that to me? I was a good church member and tried hard to do what is right all my life.” Replied God, “Because the good he did was from much love and the good you did was from little love. I decide based on love, that is why I told him I am well pleased with him.”
Jon Van and Ron Kotulak, in the Chicago Tribune, relate that University of Colorado researcher Monika Fleshner did an experiment on the effects of forced and unforced exercise on the immune system. Fleshner studied two groups of lab animals: one allowed on exercise wheels when they chose, the second group was forced to run on the wheels. The first group had an improved immune system. The immune system of the second group responded negatively in several ways, including reduced levels of antibodies. The negative effects likely were consequent of stress from having to act against free will.
This experiment on exercise parallels legalism and freedom in religion. Legalism says, “Here are the rules, and you must keep them.” A punishment is attached, “If you don’t, …” Fear, manipulation, and force is always central to legalism, as well as a “chosen few” who enforce the rules. Generally, the “chosen few” protect against change and present the past and its ways as right, as opposed to newly emerging possibilities and realities. Persons who comply and measure up are rewarded by the leaders and promised they will be rewarded by God, often in this life, surely in a next life.
Freedom is a higher order of human behavior and requires more maturity than legalism. Obedience in freedom does not have the stress of feeling that one denies herself against her will or must please other persons, the “authorities.” Freedom serves human persons and God from free will, not fear. Freedom is motivated by inward choice, not outward promise or threat.
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Oddly, freedom provides a different basis for evaluating the Christian life. If one obeys from legalism, is her obedience the same obedience as that of the person who fulfills principles from love, from free will? No.
I have witnessed many legalistic systems. I see consistently that fear of the unknown and of change are dominating emotions in legalistic systems. I see divisiveness is a marked aspect. Could it be, like with the lab animals in the above experiment, stress manifests negatively when persons are under the inflexible and controlling atmosphere of legalism and its “authorities”?
Scripture is clear that obedience in Christ is to flow from freedom. In Matthew 5.6 Jesus says, “Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God [or, make sure everyone is treated fairly] are happy [or, blessed], because they will be filled (NLV). St. John 14.23 gives the basis for obedience from the highest and most mature motive: Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (ESV). Regarding a financial offering, St. Paul says, “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9.7, ESV). St. Paul points to the inner working of God Within as the beachhead for Christian obedience: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2.12-13).
There is essential difference between legalism and freedom in obedience. The former will be motivated externally: authorities, reward or punishment, … Freedom in obedience will flow from inward motivation that complements freewill. The former “obedience” disrespects the sacredness and individuality of each person. The former recognizes that each person is endowed with freedom of choice and must, to act as God wills, act from love.
Reflection
Have you ever obeyed from Love? What does that feel like for you? Have you ever obeyed from compliance without the sense of free choice and love? What does that feel like to you? Do you need to prayerfully examine your motives in obeying God?
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