Loving the Lord, is not about rule-keeping. [Spirituality & Religion]
A rule-keeping Spirit promotes sin. In the same way that game players say, “I checked, it’s not against the rules,” many people do the same thing with the Bible. They believe, as long as the Bible doesn’t specifically say something is a sin, they can do it. Instead, we ought to have an attitude like Paul, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). When you love someone, it’s never a chore to want to please them. We can see that, from the examples we set at home. They are not considered “rules”, as we respect our spouses wishes, out of love, not necessity. Same way with our “marriage” with Christ.
Unfortunately, we still struggle not to be like the Pharisee, who prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:11-12). He was keeping score. He thought he ranked higher than the tax collector, but he had no real relationship with God. None of us are better than the other, no matter our lot in life, or skin color. In fact, Jesus loves us all the same. I’m thankful for that.
God doesn’t grade on a curve. You’re not in competition with your neighbor, your brother, or the folks at the church across town. We need not compare ourselves to others, but walk humbly with the Lord (Micah 6:8).
The New Testament uses several sports metaphors to inspire Christians, to run the race and win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). But this is simply speaking of the discipline and perseverance Christians need to have. It is NOT to say that going to heaven is a matter of going through all the right motions, checking all the right boxes, following all the rules, and then being entitled to eternal life. Nothing could be further from the truth. One can never earn their way to heaven by doing good works. It simply takes faith in God, that He means what He says. He is the Son of God, who takes away the sins of the world and reunites us with our Father in Heaven. He told us so in His Word, and proved His love for us, on the cross. He turns no one away.
Everything God gives us is a gift of grace. We are not entitled to anything. Especially concerning salvation, how could anyone think, “Of course I’m going to heaven. I kept all the rules”? You don’t want this to be about rule keeping. If it were on a basis of rule keeping, you’d be forever lost. Thankfully, it’s a matter of grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
