So I was reading the newspaper one night online at work. And I found this. I would've posted it earlier but I got busy packing, moving and cleaning my apartment. I had about 3 weeks to do it and I managed to do it. Read it and post your comments on what you think. I thought it was interesting. And yes Tiffany I'll try to blog more.
Love instead of Law:
Religion is a system of rules that often takes over when there’s no relationship.
People who are fixated on the legalities of religion and measure other people’s Christianity by the clothes they wear or other superficial means, usually do so because they lack a meaningful relationship with Jesus. On the other hand, when someone has a vibrant relationship with God, they’re likely less concerned about the rules. That’s because they’re in love, and they willfully and joyfully do things that please Him.
Think of it this way. When you go to a football game, you expect the players to be playing by the rules, but not necessarily studying the rulebook on the sidelines. They know the rules are important, but they also know being an authority on the rules pales in comparison to being a skilled, passionate and committed player.
Similarly, the most exciting Christians aren’t the ones consumed by the rules. They’re the ones who are passionate about Jesus and know how to live to the fullest.
When it comes to studying the Bible, think of it not as a rulebook but as a how-to manual for discovering a relationship with Jesus and living an abundant life. Understand the rules play a small part in developing this relationship.
In fact, you can obey all the rules of the Bible and be a lousy Christian. It’s all about your passion and commitment to Jesus.
Make no mistake, the Bible is the most amazing book on the planet. It is a divinely-inspired text written by 40 authors under the inspiration of God.
Yet it runs second place to having a great relationship with Jesus. Good doctrine is important. But if you’ve got great doctrine and no relationship with Jesus, the laws are all you’ve got.
And when you’re focused on the rules, you become judgmental and self-righteous, which is contrary to experiencing an amazing Christian walk.
Here are a few final thoughts about love instead of law:
1. Jesus isn’t fixated on the rules and neither should you. Rules are great, but they don’t get you closer to God. You need to focus on the relationship first. Jesus doesn’t care about the clothes you wear or how many piercings you have. What matters to Him is your relationship.
2. Judging others is a sign of focusing on the rules. If you read your Bible, go to church and live a good Christian life, but judge others for their sins, it’s likely you are putting the law above love. When you’re focused on a relationship and are in love with Jesus, you love other people too. That means you have compassion instead of judgment.
3. There is a debt you can never repay. Jesus forgave you and paid the price for all your sins. In return, he simply wants you to have a relationship with Him and for you to love others. This is something you are to do for the rest of your life.
4. When you focus on the relationship, the rules become easy. When you love Jesus, it’s easy to have a healthy self-worth and love others. And when you love yourself and others, you’ll want to live your life to the fullest, take care of others and treasure life for all it has to offer.
Leon Fontaine
Springs Church
June 14/09 edition of the Winnipeg Sun
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