Don't Tell Me What To Do

 

Why is it people hate to hear there are rules to follow and much more when they are expected to adhere to them?

The rebellious side of human nature will often buck at the idea of having to follow rules. For many of us they are off-putting. Such as:

No parking

No smoking

No swimming

No dogs allowed

No open containers

No one under 21

The 'no this' and 'no that' can be annoying especially if the 'do nots' and 'shall nots' are based on religion. And I might add, exclusively if we believe the do not's require obedience to laws we are unable keep in the first place! Take for instance, Christianity.  What is the purpose of having a set of laws like the 10 commandments if they are impossible to keep? Who hasn't taken something that wasn't theirs? Who hasn't coveted another persons possession? Who has dishonored their parents? Who is guilty of not loving  their neighbor as themselves? Who has not loved God with all their heart, soul, and strength? And then add to that, if we offend in one command we're guilty of all of them (James 2:10). What is the purpose of law if they are impossible to keep?? 

The Bible teaches the purpose of the law was to point out sin so we would recognize it, avoid it, and realize we need a solution! If there wasn't a rule saying, "DANGER. DO NOT SWIM HERE" how would you know the waters were unsafe maybe due to an algae bloom, alligators, or a flesh-eating bacteria? Without THIS warning, you would be apt to jump right in. Likewise, the Bible warns of certain sins. If there wasn't a law saying, "Thou shalt not steal" how would you ever know to avoid doing it or realize it as something that is lawfully and morally wrong? The law is a teacher, a guide, and its objective is to make us realize we have all committed infractions and fallen short of where we need to be in a spiritual sense.  Because of our sins we lack purity. We lack righteousness. We lack goodness. We lack integrity, etc. We lack whatever is necessary to make it into heaven where holiness dwells. And no matter what we do or offer, whether our own goodness, kindness, sacrifice, or otherwise, it isn't enough to exonerate us from the attached consequences associated with sin. This is what the blood sacrifice of Christ is for—and it is why mankind needs a Savior. We will never get to heaven without our advocate Jesus as our propitiation. "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).

Consider the prison systems. Convicted criminals are sometimes pardoned or their sentences are commuted. Others are released from prison early. Are these people pardoned and released with the idea that they can re-enter society and repeat the EXACT SAME CRIMES that put them in prison?? Of course not! The very idea is absurd. The police would simply re-arrest them and incarcerate them again—probably with a stronger sentence! How is it then, that Christians can believe that the judgment of God somehow requires less justice with His Law than do physical, civil authorities with theirs? Hmm? 

It insults God to suggest that He would give His Son for people’s sins, only to see them continue in the very things that required Christ’s death! Read that again.  That doesn't even make sense. To believe the deception that forgiveness, through Christ’s blood, permits born-again Christians to freely break the law is hypocrisy. It not only insults God but the intelligence of His Master Plan. So, I will repeat Paul and say, "shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound?" The Apostle Paul replies with a resounding “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). To desire to continue in sin shows a misunderstanding of this abundant grace and a contempt for Jesus' sacrifice. Either we believe what God says is true or we don't.

Consider this scripture carefully: “What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?…Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone…I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils [demons] also believe, and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? See you how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?…You see then, how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (vs. 14, 17-22, 24). The answer to Paul’s rhetorical question is obvious. We cannot. Finally, notice how the Bible asks, “Do we then make void the law through faith?” It answers its own question. “GOD FORBID: yes, we ESTABLISH THE LAW” (Rom. 3:31). The ministers of this world may permit people to break God’s Law—usually because they want their congregation to pay them a salary—but GOD FORBIDS law-breaking!

It's as straight forward as this: like the demons, many people do believe God exists. However, most of these same people do not tremble at the existence of God enough to obey what He asks—which even demons do!  Look at John's words 1 John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." Paul also taught that God’s Law is:

Holy, just, good and spiritual (Romans. 7:12, 14). 

It endures forever (Psalm. 111:7-8) 

It is perfect (Psalm. 19:7). 

James calls the Ten Commandments “the royal law…of liberty” (James. 2:8-12). 

Christ said it will never be done away (Matthew. 5:17-19).

Deceiving impostors teach that Christians must focus on “just having love,” while ignoring plain scriptures like Romans 13:10, which says, “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Also see I John 5:1-3.) 

No wonder the apostle John said that any who claim to “know Him [Christ], and keeps not the commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4). Strong words! I have known many people who claimed to know Christ but did not keep the commandments. Their "faith" without the works of obedience was dead. We now see how God views them. It takes faith in Christ for any Christian to be able to keep God’s Law. One gift is that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to help achieve obedience. Recall that Christ said that He could of His own self do “nothing,” and that the Father did the works in Him. The Holy Spirit will complete the work in you as you walk in servitude to the one who set you free from sins grasp.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-