Rules, guidelines, expectations, examples, directions, instructions are all pretty straight forward and keep things in order. They give a measuring device to check progress and evaluate quality. They give security and justification. They drive people to points of emotional and mental breakdowns when they just cannot get it right. And then you add conditions, clauses, exceptions to the mix and massive confusion develops. Then when the letter of the law (rule or guideline) is expanded to be an interpretation of what is preceived to be the standard, utter chaos insues. Some are holding the old standard, some interpret it one way today another tomorrow, still others interpret the rule to be down graded from must do or must not do, to a suggestion or opionion. There is not an inforceable suggestion, expectation, example, direction or suggestions and even instructions can be negoatiated and debated and not followed. Consequences may result but, that is not enough of a reason to be held to some rule that is not agreed with. This whole process can be very exhausting, confusing and angering. Why does'nt everyone follow the rules? why can't people think about others instead of just what they want?
Some feel that rule followers are good people and rule breakers are bad people. In the world model who has the authority to call someone on misdeeds? As christians are we to enforce the rules? Is it our responsibility to discipline each other? What is the penalty for doing wrong? How do you make someone get right with God? How many times are they allowed to mess up?
Even in the Bible we see this dilema played out in several different stories and so many verses try to instruct us to do the right thing. Christ was a leader, but he submitted to the Authority of the Father, not because he was not strong enough to debate, or because he was too lazy to fight, because he loved Him and his obedience was a testimony to that love. He was setting an example by his submission to the Father. If that is our source for the rules, and we look at them in a sensible way, most of them relate to our heart, loving God first, loving and caring for others is mention several times as the second most important commandment. And best of all, with God, assistance is freely offered, he will help us meet and exceed the expectation, if we ask. Without love everything else is just motions and "religion". God despised the Pharisees for all their rules and ritualistic approaches at following him. They were so caught up in THEIR thinking, THEIR Rules, that they charged and persecuted Christ, the one they supposedly loved and were looking for. If the heart is moving in the right direction the rest of the body will follow, especially the brain, our biggest muscle and our worst enemy sometimes. It is not about the actions as much as it is the hearts involvement and who are heart is trying to appeal to. Whose measurement are we trying to achieve? What is our intention, do we really love God and want others to see him and love him or do we want them to see us as good and love us and then love God because we do?
I loved the song "This Little Light of Mine", when I was growing up. And in Sunday School we had a lesson about how our lives should be like the little light, the bible did not say if it was a candle or a lamp, or just a stick on fire, it just talked about what was seen, the Light. That Light is Christ Jesus, and we should have a glow that attracts people to us, to see what that Light is and then once they see Jesus and turn to him, much like a lighthouse that guides ships through storms. The lighthouse is not really given much thought, it is just what it was designed to do. The same with us, we were designed to Love God, Jesus and the holy spirit and if that helps someone else, that is awesome but our eyes should be looking to Christ for our instructions, expectations and directions. When these are our hearts desires, everything works to His glory.
Scriptures: God's instruction and expectations.
Psalm 119:141-144
Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil or insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Romans 8:24-27
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we Wait for it Patiently.
1 Corinthians 2:11
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
Jeremiah 32:18
...O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct an as his deeds deserve.
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