A thought struck my out of Galatians on Sunday. When the Jewish people were exiled from their country and temple by the Babylonians, the only thing they could cling to, to preserve their identity as a distinct race of people was the law. That's what seperated and distinguished them from everyone else on the face of the earth and gave them a sense of being special. That's why the Judiasers were so determined that converts to Christianity should have to follow the law of Moses as well as believe in Jesus. If they could just believe in Jesus and not follow the law, the Judiasers feared the Jewish nation would disappear, with nothing to define it by.

If my identity is not solely defined by Jesus and my sense of worth is not solely because the Son of God loved me and gave himself for me, and now I am an adopted son of the King of kings, then those other things which define me become additional saviours and I will begin to force them on others too, so that they too can be fully saved.

How many of us Christians live lives where our behaviours and practises are at least an important part in defining our Christianity rather than just that we believe in Jesus? Do the things I do, or don't do, the places I go, or don't go, the things I eat and drink, or don't eat and drink play a part in defining my Christianity and by extension who I am?

If so, what do I do when another believer with different practises and habits comes along? Can they really be a believer and think/speak/act like that?  I must either correct them so they become like me (religious) or push them away to preserve my identity (political).

The alternative offered by Jesus in the gospel is that our identity is solely defined by Him and therefore I can be comfortable around those who do things differently.

"The purpose of discipleship is not to change peoples behaviour, it is to see them living free." - Danny Silk.

"Only challenge someone about their behaviour if it will prevent them becoming the person God destined them to be" - Rory Dyer.