Under the Shadow of Sinai

By Lynn Mosher –

Have you ever had this happen to you?

Something happened to me the other day on Twitter. I got a “burr” under my saddle blanket! I got rather irritated – Okay truth be told, I got offended. But it takes some doing for me to feel offended.

I didn’t want to alienate; I didn’t want to become a mean Christian. I wanted to be godly; but I think I may have failed.

Someone I newly connected with tweeted to me (his/her first tweet to me) that included a couple of questions. I felt as though this person was beating me over the head with his/her Bible and the L word: the Law. You know, the Law of you need to do things my way ’cause my rules are the right way to do things.

I asked this person if s/he were the Law police. Trying to be funny. Yeah, I felt frustrated. However, I will defend this person, as it was his/her effort “trying to help other Christians be practical” in their walk with the Lord.

It was not the means but the manner that irked me. Good intentions. Bad delivery. I thought my delivery left something to be desired as well.

I’m not writing this to offend back. I’m not writing this to sling any mud. In fact, I pray this person does well to help and bless other Christians. But I also pray that his/her delivery improves!

In the midst of my conversation with this person, I wanted to be accountable, to be as controlled and kind as possible, so I asked a special friend to check it out for me and make sure my response was gracious. She soothed my concerns with her precious words and ever-present encouragement.

If anger is allowed to glow too hot, its embers explode on another and leave blisters. Anger separates; gentleness joins. I did my best to be, um, kind and we ended our conversation on a friendly note.

This all made me think. I’ve seen a lot of rules and regulations disguised as biblical guidelines. Too much tradition smacking of the-Bible-says-so. I do not like placing believers back under the Law, under the shadow of Sinai.

It made me wonder how often we beat others over the head with our manmade rules, spouting them as God’s law.

What divine do’s and don’ts do we stress that other believers adhere to? No tattoos. No weird hair colors. Watch that hair length. No makeup. Follow the rules for Bible reading and quiet time.

(Sorry, if I’m stepping on some toes. I’m probably offending someone. sigh)

All these things we think should rule a person’s life. But are they biblical? Some rules may seem good but when they fall outside of grace, we should let go of them and let everyone be accountable to God on their own.

Then…under the shadow of Sinai, under the Law
Now…under the shadow of the cross, under Grace

Christ puts His law in each believer’s heart when that heart allows Him to do so, and we cannot play God by trying to force another to adhere to any other laws.

How much of the Word is a believer taught by beating that one over the head with it versus how much is caught by seeing grace lived out in another believer?

Jesus will cause us to walk in His statutes; He will guide us into the Father’s will and purpose, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil. 2:13 NIV)

“May he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
(Heb. 13:21 NLT)

So, has someone ever put you under the shadow of Sinai? Have you ever done it to someone else?