Is it a Video Game Now?

There is a phrase floating around the Christian church lately that I would like to discuss.  Or maybe it's an idea.  If so, it's a poorly thought out idea.  It's the idea of "Levels of freedom."  I hear it tossed around in charismatic circles, from pulpits, and at camps.  "We are gonna lead you into new levels of freedom."

The idea behind this phrase is that you are removing things in your life that are negative and holding you back from your full potential in Christ.  In other words, let go of your bitterness, your addictions, your fears, your shame etc etc...and you will be closer to God.  You will feel Him more and experience greater power in your walk with Him.

At first, this sounds lovely.  Who doesn't want to have power, and be on high "level" and live in close proximity to their savior?

I see a problem.  Or several.

The first is that by flippantly throwing out a phrase like the one above, you automatically create a hierarchy in the Christian faith.  People instantly feel that certain people in authority or in the spotlight have achieved a "higher level" than you.  It also provides a giant stumbling block for believers experiencing freedom to also experience pride.  It gives them the subconscious opinion that they are closer to God than other people.

I've totally fallen into that trap.  I experienced freedom from fear five years ago.  Three years later I had a massive pride issue that stemmed directly from that instance of "gaining a new level of freedom."

Another thing that doesn't work with this principal is that not all people have had the same experiences. A person who grew up in a happy loving home may be walking in forgiveness.  But what about the person who grew up in an abusive household?  What if forgiveness for them means pushing past the old and new wounds every single morning and begging God to let them forgive so they can have "freedom" so they can stop hurting for a second?  What makes a drug addiction worse than a coffee addiction?  And if you just read that and want to now give up coffee you missed the point.  And you'll just find another way to cope because life is hard no matter what.

I would propose to you that freedom is fluid.  It has nothing to do with "levels."  I would propose to you that based on peoples unique experiences, by inadvertently creating a hierarchy in the christian faith we do damage to people who feel they cannot get to the "next level" spiritually.

I see it in my mind as this lush green hill with big steps up to the top.  Each step is labelled.  Forgiveness, Fear, Addiction, blah blah blah...you get it.  And Jesus is at the top.  Each person is at the bottom, working their way up.  The people at the bottom level look admiringly up at the people on the next level while the people on the next level look down and smile condescendingly at the others.  "Here brother, let me give you a hand."

Do you see how this is rubbish??

Because in reality there's not a hill at all.  There's not even a road to say you're farther along.  It's a maze of jumbled up different life paths creating a giant knot of crisscrossing lives.  One person might be crawling through the muck weeping, while Jesus stops them for a minute to hold them and tell them to keep going because He's right there.  Someone else could be having a great day.  Everyone is happy and healthy and they're making loads of dough and it's all good yo.  And Jesus is right there.  Rejoicing because His child is happy.

So what's your story?  Are you hungry?  Are you afraid?  Are you grieving?  Are you feeling immeasurable amounts of joy?  Do you feel shame?  Perhaps you found freedom by being able to forgive.  But then you got hurt again and you're wrestling once again.

Christians.  I implore you think before you speak, especially if you are in the pulpit.  Think about what you are training other people to think and say.

No two people are the same.  So don't look down on a person who is struggling.  And don't compare yourself to the one with joy.

Focus on the fact that He's there.  Right now.  No matter what.  Life is hard.  If you love Him, you are free and free indeed.  No levels included.


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