playing between the lines

It is not normal to think about an abundant life, freedom, and the law as companions. We generally think about the rewards of obeying the law and punishment for not. This idea of the law makes us feel constrained not free and limited not abundant. Maybe the difference is in the notion of abiding vs obeying?

Suppose you thought about abiding in the law versus obedience to the law? Is there a difference? If so, what does it look like? Does this difference change how abundant life, freedom and the law are complementary, not contradictory?

Years ago a friend and pastor used the analogy of a basketball game to describe the Christian life. It goes something like this. If the game were played without any boundary lines and rules, then players would be free to go anywhere and do anything to win. The game would have no form and the opportunity to be a great player would be limited. Michael Jordan was considered great, and maybe the greatest, because of what he could do abiding within the boundaries and the rules. Going anywhere in the arena to get around people to score and pushing people off of him to get the freedom to make a basket would not be very impressive. 

The game would ultimately disintegrate. Winning would have no real gravitas. It would be difficult to discern who was really great. Yet, it was not the boundary lines and the rule book that Michael Jordan focused on. He conditioned himself and absorbed himself in the dimensions of the court and the right ways to play. Playing the game was nothing about obeying the rules but as Michael Jordan would abide within the court of play and and the rules of the game, he was free to exploit all of his talent and creativity to the amazement of all.

Thus it is with us. God prefers we abide in, not obey the law. Absorb our self in His law, but 

do not make obedience to the law synonymous with playing the game. 

Freedom to do and be everything we desire as we abide is what produces abundance. Freedom to do whatever we want without regard to the law results in obliteration of the game, not winning.

Maybe this is why "abide" is used all the time by Jesus and obey is only used to refer to the storms and the swine. Its probably worth pondering. 

Remember, Jordan was at his best, enjoyed the game the most, and felt the most free when he was playing between the lines.

I have often over the past 25 years since I heard my friend share this view.