"I don't wanna know if the answers aren't easy..."

I'm reading lately about living under grace, and what that looks like. And it's funny (or sad) how we so often try to twist living under grace into being another kind of law. We like law, and structure, and knowing exactly where we stand and how close to the line we can get.

And this morning, I'm listening to a Derek Webb album (a singular event, in itself), and I hear this song, which touches on the subject and pokes at me a bit.



Lyrics:

vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus/chorus)

(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid


One of the challenges of the Christian life is understanding that any rules we follow have to come out of the relationship we have with Jesus. There are rules, yes, but rules built on love instead of punishment.

I wonder if the reason we like our rules is that it gives us an objective standard by which to compare ourselves to others. It's harder to compare one relationship to another. The lines are blurrier, the edges a bit more amorphous.

As I'm writing this, I'm trying to come up with a killer closing statement. Something to make you go "wow" or "a-ha." But all i've got is this: I'm a sinner. God's grace saves me. And on my best days, I'm still a sinner. And on my worst days, I'm still a sinner. God's grace, through the blood of Jesus, sustains me. That's my story.