You are really and truly and completely free. There is no kicker. There is no if, and, or but. You are free. You can do it right or wrong. You can obey or disobey. You can run from Christ or run to Christ… You can cry, cuss, and spit, or laugh, sing, and dance… You’re free… really free. —Steve Brown
Life often presents two different types of choices: There is the either-or choice, where you can choose one thing or the other—but you can’t choose both. Then there is the both-and choice, which is two separate decisions. You can choose both this, and you can choose that—and you can have them both at the same time.
When it comes to freedom in the Spirit and legalism, Jesus presents us with a black-and-white, one way or the other, either-or decision. No two ways about it. We have two legitimate choices, but we are going to have to choose between them.
We are, in fact, dead to sin—we don’t have to choose to be so each morning. We are “in the Spirit” by default—we don’t have to choose to be so. That’s biblical truth. But we do get to choose whether we will live according to these truths (by walking in the Spirit), or whether we are going to let ourselves be placed under the law and live a lie (by marching in the strength of our flesh).
The choice is yours. You can either be a dancer or a marcher, but you can’t be both. You either dance in the Spirit or march in the power of your own flesh.
The book of Romans is almost entirely committed to this either-or decision, and Paul makes it absolutely clear which is the true way to go.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
So, what are you going to do today? It’s either law or grace! Are you going to accept Jesus’ invitation to dance and live freely in His Spirit moment by moment? Or will you subject yourself to the drill sergeant of legalism and try to flesh it out as best you can?
Lord, the marching boots stomping around me are so loud that I haven’t been able to hear the music of Your Spirit. Today, I put on my dancing shoes… let’s dance! Amen.