Avoiding the Ditch

All over the mid-Atlantic, drivers are carefully maneuvering their vehicles on snow-covered streets and roads, desperate to avoid crashing into parked cars, telephone poles, and especially the ditch.  Good drivers know that danger isn't just always on the right side of the car-- it's just as present on the left.

There's an important spiritual lesson to be drawn here for us as Christians.  As we make our way through the Christian life, we are striving to stay "in the center" by closely following the revealed truth of Scripture by the help of the Holy Spirit. But dangers are near.

On the right hand is the dangerous ditch of "legalism"--- which is characterized by long lists of 'do's' and 'don'ts' which most often have their source in preferences and opinions rather than Scriptural truth.  Believers who crash into this ditch are continually arguing over things like hair-lengths, dress codes, and whether or not Christians should forsake movie theatres.  But that's just the ditch on the right.

On the left is the dangerous ditch of "license" which is fast-growing in its ability to ruin believers.  "License" is characterized by so-called 'Christian freedom' in which believers can do whatever they like, so long as they don't violate their own conscience or a specific chapter/verse spelled out in the Bible.  Believers who crash into this ditch embrace any and all activities their hearts desire--- especially the questionable ones--- without stopping to think of how their actions might affect another brother or sister in Christ.  In other words, while they might be mature in their 'knowledge'-- their knowledge is often missing the key ingredient of love.

The point is it's awful slippery out there, Christian friend--- so be careful.  In recent days I've seen a lot of cars and Christians in the ditch, both on the right and the left.

Lord God, protect us from the dangers of the ditch.  Help us find the Spirit-directed, Scripture-informed, love-driven center of the Christian life.