Why did God say…
Why did God say that we should love one another? Because he knew that people would be unloving toward us, and he knew that our natural reaction would cause us to be unloving in return.
Why did God say that we should forgive one another? Because he knew that our brothers and sisters would hurt us, and he knew that our natural reaction would cause us to hold grudges against them.
Why did God say that we should be patient with one another? Because he knew that people would get on our nerves, and he knew that our natural reaction would cause us to give up on people.
Why did God say that we should accept one another? Because he knew that we would set expectations that people could not live up to, and he knew that our natural reaction would be to reject those who don’t meet our expectations.
Why did God say that we should teach one another? Because he knew that our friends would need help, and he knew that our natural reaction would be to allow others to help instead of taking action ourselves.
Why did God say that we should edify one another? Because he knew that we would want to grow in maturity, and he knew that our natural reaction would cause us to focus on our own growth instead of the growth of those around us.
Why did God give us the Holy Spirit? Because he knew that regardless of how often and how loud he commanded us, we would be unable to follow him on our own.
Why do we still prefer to follow rules instead of following the Holy Spirit?
I know I feel much more secure if I have a checklist. It is much easier for me to do those things and feel good versus the work of the Spirit and His peaceful voice.
when we follow rules, we know whether we fail or not ….
with the Spirit, not the case
Forgive me if I am off here but how is what you gave not a list of rules? It sounds like a new law.
When we follow a list of rules we can still be in control, at least to some extent. But, when we follow the Holy Spirit we give control over to God. As a result, we are almost always taken out of our comfort zones.
God is better able to mold us and teach us when we are in unfamiliar territory, because we have to rely on Him.
That’s probably just a small part of it.
Gary
I loved this post. The whole point of the “rules” you listed are that, just like the Law, we cannot keep them–no matter how great our intentions.
We need the Holy Spirit. How we need Him…
I’m very grateful for this post. It proves to be poignant and pertinent to where I am at the moment in understanding a number of issues, or at least understanding a more gracious approach to those situations.
I myself have never had a problem with rules or seen it as rules vs Holy Spirit. In agreement with Jeff McQ stating that rules are stated knowing full well we cannot live up to them without the Holy Spirit who truly makes us alive and allows us to enjoy what the Spirit behind the Law was propelling us to enjoy in the first place.
Thanks again Alan.
Lionel,
Yep. And we’re all about what “feels good”, right?
Jeff Greathouse,
That’s true. Perhaps “failure” or “success” – at least the way that we can know – is not necessarily our goal.
Jason,
Yes, the list of rules is a type of law. We can’t keep those rules either.
Gary,
Control… that is a big part of the issue isn’t it. We really don’t want to give up control of our lives.
Jeff McQ,
Exactly. We can’t even do the good things that we know that we should do. We can sometimes fake it though…
Christopher,
That’s right. We cannot live up to any rules. Even Paul recognized this in his life. He didn’t do the things he wanted to do.
-Alan
Good thoughts. Good to be reminded that God knows what he’s talking about!
Antwuan,
Thanks! It’s been great connecting with you on twitter.
-Alan