By Steven Norris
I remember the first time that I ever rode a rollercoaster. As a kid, we loved to go to Libertyland, a tiny amusement park in Memphis, TN that was a favorite of Elvis Presley. To my seven-year-old self, the “Zippin Pippin” was a huge wooden roller coaster — the biggest one I had ever seen!
On my first ride, I didn’t know what to expect when that lap bar came down across my thighs. As the chain pulled the car up the first steep incline, click after click after click, I could feel my pulse rising and my stomach moving northward into my throat. Cresting the summit, we paused for what seemed like an eternity in midair and I stared out over my hometown, overcome with jubilation and terror.
Moments later, the ground below came rushing up with terrifying speed, and my little hands gripped onto the bar for dear life. I was certain that I was going to die, so I clamped down on that bar until my knuckles were white as a sheet. We whipped right and left and I slid along that vinyl seat until I crashed into the side of the car.
Avoiding sin can feel like the spiritual equivalent of “white knuckling” through life. Should we strive for holiness? Yes, by all means! Should we avoid sin? Absolutely, without a doubt. Should we imitate Christ in everything that we do? Of course, that is what discipleship is all about. In doing so, however, we should not forget the instructions of Jesus: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
I am grieved when I see the abundant life of Jesus exchanged for what Dallas Willard calls the “gospel of sin management.” Avoiding sin is not the same thing as abundant living. Jesus did not come to the world and give his life in order that we may avoid sin or force ourselves into a kind of moralistic Pharisaism.
Rather than a list of “thou shalt nots,” abundant life looks a lot more like the reckless, yet courageous plunge of falling in love. It consists of being enamored with the beauty of Christ and drawing near to his heart for others. It looks like creatively finding new ways to build community with our neighbors, forgive shortcomings, and lead with grace in every interaction. It looks like joy regardless of one’s circumstances and contentment regardless of the measure of one’s possessions. Abundant life looks like the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
St. Irenaeus was an influential theologian in the second century. He articulated the very essence of Christianity when he stated, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive!” God did not create us to be sin-avoiders. God created us to live in communion — with our true selves, with God, with one another, and with all creation. God created us for a contagious generosity of spirit that permeates everything. God created us to love and to be loved. That, my friends, is the abundant life we seek.