Rule Follower

Have you ever equated God with just a bunch of senseless rules you had to follow? Not really wanting to give Him control? Some people say they are just holding out on making a decision about God’s Lordship because they don’t really want to have to cease having all the fun they are experiencing. They see God’s laws, His instruction, as a noose or a chain. A burden they don’t wish to carry.

He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.  He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!  Psalm 147:19-20

The truth that God has spoken to us and revealed His commands to us is an extreme privilege not to be taken for granted. When Israel was a young nation, it was set apart by the fact that Jehovah God, guided and directed them with His words and decrees. He did not do this for every nation.  He chose to establish His authenticity and distinct ability through Israel using one distinguishing awe factor…He spoke to them.  When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, in Jesus Christ, God furthered His reach to the world.  He became not just accessible to Israel, but to all men willing to call upon His name.

God’s commands are a privilege not a burden. He has chosen to reveal Himself, and we should be grateful. This instruction is given that we might experience an abundant existence, not a life enslaved to senseless rules of insignificance.

Consider simply, God’s words, in The Ten Commandments. If we all obeyed these commands, there would be nothing spoken that was profane nor anything worshiped that was ridiculously fallible. Families would be unified, not torn apart by adultery or rebellion.  There would be no murder, jealousy, envy, or greed.  Nothing would be stolen from anyone and no one would lie to each other. This doesn’t sound like a prison sentence to me.  This sounds like a place of peace!

God’s guidelines were intended for our freedom, not our punishment.  He speaks to us in order to give us our lives back, not to take them from us.  Still, somewhere down the line; the evil in this world, always seems to twist the intentions of God. God is portrayed as a hater, a dominator, a fun-time stealer. Yet truthfully, God is none of these. He is a provider, a protector, and a giver. A true, and faithfully, loving Shepherd.

My pastor made a great point, in our staff meeting, this week. He said, “Some people like to think that Jesus came to earth to change God’s mind about man. That Jesus had to convince God to spare us all. The reality is, Jesus came not to change God’s heart, but to reveal God’s heart to man.”

The Father has loved us from the foundation of the world, and He continually seeks ways to show us that love.  God’s laws and decrees are given to reveal His care and concern for us.  God adores us. He truly loves us all.

He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.  He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!  Psalm 147:19-20

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3