Do you prefer to follow rules or principles? Do you want thinks laid out in black and white or like a lot of gray? Do you like to adhere to tradition or be free to follow your heart? Have you realized one of these binds you and the other sets you free?
Some people prefer hard bound rules, laws, traditions, and everything written out in black and white. They find it easy to be able to check the boxes. They will also insist that everyone else follow these rules, laws, and traditions in the same manner they do.
However, there are some who prefer the freedom to ride the wind. They don’t want to be bound to the hard-set rules. Hand them a few principles or guidelines to follow and they are good to go. They experience freedom in a way the rule followers can never imagine.
We can get so wrapped up in rules and traditions that we no longer have the freedom to follow where the Holy Spirit leads us. There are a variety of traditions surrounding baptism, including infant baptism, baptism only when a child is old enough to make their own decision, and requiring classes for an adult prior to baptism. In some ways, our rules or traditions are set up to be a gatekeeper for God. Do we really think God needs a gatekeeper?
Notice the example of baptism in today’s passage. Philip had followed the Holy Spirit’s guidance, gone to the road he was told to, heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah, sat down to explain the gospel of Jesus for a short period of time. We don’t know if it was thirty minutes or three hours. We do know the eunuch believed and asked to be baptized when they were approaching some water and Philip agreed to baptize him. God works through his Holy Spirit. We should not think we are gatekeepers. Instead, we should seek to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit just as Philip did.
I pray we all seek to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I pray we stop trying to be the gatekeeper for God. I pray each one of us will break free of the hold we have allowed rules to bind us. Follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. Be free of man-made rules. Live in the freedom of Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?”
Marty Pressey 