Hedonic Holiness: Live in freedom, walk in love, seek joy through obedience

Scared Tradition?

I have been devoted to Christianity for about a decade.  Through this decade I have been exposed to many denomination, doctrines, and Christian spiritual traditions, both modern and ancient.  To be honest, I've become pretty confused as to how I'm supposed to live.  The Baptists would have me study systematic theology, the Catholics would have me quiet and staying true to the sacraments in community, the Reformed would have me read Spurgeon and Calvin, the moderns would praise Lewis, and the new monastics would suggest that I'm going through a "Dark Night of the Soul" and should push into my "Inner Castle" while praying that I too would have the insight of Merton.  Well, I've done all of that and have found their exhortations wanting. 

Back to Scripture:

The first scripture I came into contact today was “it was for freedom’s sake that Christ set us free.” There is a great deal of freedom in the Christian life.  So, on one hand my life is completely up to me - I'm free.  However, there seems to be many general principles by which a Christian is to live; they are foundational and to be followed by everyone, no matter what vocation you find yourself in.  Some of these included "walk in love," "walk in the spirit," "walk as Children of light," and "walk in wisdom."   Some subordinate principles might include: humble yourselves, do not think of yourself more highly then you are, use your gifts, do not grumble, bear one another's burdens, and boast only in the cross.  I don't know about you, but this seems like a good start.   

So, on one end I am free.  On the other end I am a slave to love. 

Christian Hedonism: seeking joy.

But what about joy?  I think the amalgamation of all these other people's words have jumbled my mind and I am doubting the place of joy in the Christian life.  Now, Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy set before him." Perhaps joy is a proper motivational goal and the ultimate outcome of a life of obedience.  It the life that lives by what I previously mentioned.  This seems to be consistent with some of those guys my Christian friends refer me to.  One such author said "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." Another said, "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." And another said, "A good man loves kindness (Micah 6:8) and delights in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2), and the will of the Lord (Psalm 40:8). But how shall such a man do an act of kindness disinterestedly? The better the man, the more joy in obedience." 

So today's take-away - Live in freedom, walk in love, seek joy through obedience