Rules and Relationship

This week during my quiet time I have been lead to take a look at my closest relationships. It is amazing what God will lead me to when I humble myself and ask Him. Having been a study of relationships, psychology, group life and the like for many years has not exempted me from needing to do a relational tune-up from time to time. The timing is where God comes in. This exercise is not the result of hitting the relationship wall with someone as much as it is the 'still, small voice' guiding me to take a good look at how things are (a bit of a personal inventory of sorts).

Many have heard the profound statement "rules without relationship lead to rebellion." Romans 5:20 states "All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers." This was the way of the Old Testament. It was hard work to get righteous before Christ came to walk among us! All of the sacrificing and isolation as atonement took so much time and effort. Sometimes even for healthy, normal bodily functions. The book of Leviticus lays out all of the rules and the remedies for straying from them. While not an easy read, certainly a chance to grow your gratitude.

I thank God for the gift of Jesus! In John 3:16,17 we learn"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted." My personal commentary on this is that God longed to be in relationship with us more than He valued even a generation of rule-followers; therefore He made a new way (a new and everlasting covenant) with the fallen mankind. Jesus endured the cross so that we could boldly approach God. We have no need of translators or interpreters, no need for someone to communicate on our behalf. No, we can speak directly to our Heavenly Father. We can seek Him and ask Him... AND He has given us His Spirit as a guide.

So, in my life that Guide has brought me to look at my relationships. Do I expect people to play by MY rules? How do I place myself under the real or perceived rules of others. Do my children see me as a relational parent or the judge of their behavior? Do I reward people based on their willingness to follow my rules? Oh, the list goes on. So now you know what I am looking at. Where are you being lead? Do you hear Him? Will you follow?

Take care-