“When following the rules becomes the principal focus of a church, then you can count on guilt being the primary motivator.”

A thought by Kyle Idleman (2011-05-24) from hid book, Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus (p. 80). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Back when I was a Minister of Youth and Music in a church in Phoenix, Arizona I had with a group of friends season tickets to Arizona State University football games. The football coach at that time was a very negative coach. He used fear as his motivator. It seemed his team was always looking over their shoulder wondering if they were doing it wrong so they were just a half a step behind.

And that is the way it is when the church uses guilt to motivate. It seems they are always living in fear and looking over their shoulder wondering what they are doing wrong. But that is not the motivation of the New Testament. Through Christ’s death on the cross we have been forgiven of our load of guilt. That is why He came.

We no longer live by rules but by a relationship which is fueled by love. We serve Him out of love not out of guilt. We are to follow not to be driven. He is out ahead showing us the way not behind us watching us waiting to show us where we have stepped of line. Ours is to be a forward look not an over the shoulder look. There is so much freedom and peace and excitement in that.

So which way are you looking?

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