The Law, Grace, And A Purple Bracelet

I've been pondering the law and grace lately. In Christian terms, the law and grace are spiritual opposites. The law represents the rules that God laid down in the Old Testament (Ten Commandments, Levitical rules, etc.) The law also represents a common mindset where many Christians think that they have to act "good enough" in order for God to be pleased with them. The other side of this coin is grace. Grace is the knowledge that we'll never be good enough to please God—and he still loves us, anyway. Grace is knowing that there's nothing we can do to earn—or to unearn—God's love and acceptance. The second part of that is the really important part: there's nothing we can do to unearn God's love. When you can come to a point of accepting that, then you've found salvation's road.

That brings me around to a purple bracelet. This isn't just any purple bracelet. It's a "Complaint-Free World" bracelet, courtesy of acomplaintfreeworld.org. A Complaint-Free World is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people affect positive change in their lives by becoming Complaint Free. I'm always kind of weary of these gimmicks. Maybe I shouldn't use the word "gimmick," but c'mon...how can a purple bracelet help my life? Here's the idea: You wear this bracelet and every time you complain, you move the bracelet to the opposite wrist. This provides you with an awareness of how often you complain. So I'm once again giving this purple bracelet a try. You put it on, sit back, and let it work.

So how does this bracelet relate to the law and grace?

It relates because grace is the idea that we can't do anything of our own power to please God (Romans 3:22-24). So why should I waste my time with a bracelet? Isn't that like trying to obey a law to please God? For me, I think wearing this bracelet is like prayer, or a good friend, or even a good book. There are things in life that are good and are gifts of God to help us along. This bracelet won't grant me instant happiness...but it's a tool toward that end. It's accountability. I know God doesn't want me to complain and this bracelet provides the awareness I need to rid myself of it.

And just like prayer, I'll sit back and let it work. I won't worry every time I screw up and complain about something. I'll put the bracelet on the other wrist and start again. There's a truth in that. Mess up...and start again. Be forgiven...and start again.