Is It Really All About the Rules?

Maybe you've heard the saying, "it's not about rules it's about relationship." First, what is "it?" To me, "it" is faith in Jesus. Following Jesus' rules may lead to healthier happier living, but it's not what IT is about.

If you were to only be polite and follow all the etiquette rules while encountering other people, would you have an actual friendship?

Do we throw rules out the window?

For some reason, rules have a bad reputation. We think of them as restrictive and insulting. We often do not associate them with love. However, without structure, children would play in traffic unrestricted. Dogs could never be walked in an orderly fashion on a leash. Houses would be trashed.

What is needed is a balanced approach to look at the reason and intent behind rules. Perhaps we think that coveting is an old idea that has no bearing today. Yet what has "keeping up with the Jones'" done for your life? Do you appreciate what you've got or do you constantly crave more and "the latest."

God knows our nature is to seek more and believe that having the latest whatever will make us popular and enhance our lives. Most times, it leads us to try to fill a void that can only be filled with the contentment of a God-focused world.

That's where the course changes - a relationship with God is fulfilling, learning about the Father through Jesus the Son reveals love, sacrifice, forgiveness. Following Jesus allows us to change from the inside out in a way only the Lord can transform. Rules and adherence to them can not bring heart change to our lives.

What rules serve you well? Which ones do you follow blindly? What rule is hardest for your dog to keep? For you?