Rules Is Rules

What do poker tournaments, football games, and orchestral compositions have in common? They each have their own distinct set of rules which, if not followed, can result in fines, disqualification, and more.

All games have rules.

So does life. And there are varying degrees of consequences for not obeying them. Many are modest, some can be very serious. Even criminals tacitly understand the mantra, “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.” It’s a risk-reward consideration.

The Christian walk has rules too.

And it has a very powerful adversary whose main goal is to steal, kill, and destroy us (Jn. 10:10). He is constantly tempting us to break the rules. And because of his activity, many churches miss the mark and wander from the narrow path.

This morning, I was in Romans 10:2,3 where Paul is sharing his heart and frustrations about Israel, “…they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”

The takeaway is that zeal about the wrong thing

is literally a dead-end. Jesus was very clear, “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6). When “religion” is filled with feel-good exercises, promises of health, wealth, and happiness, allows aberrant behavior and inclusive, watered down messages, it is clearly in  violation of godly parameters set forth in Scripture. When the Lord Jesus Christ is not the focal point of all preaching, teaching, and Bible study, it will not, it cannot lead to salvation. And that is what Satan desires.

If you’re involved in a church

that “has zeal but not in accordance with Biblical knowledge,” it’s not to late to “come out from their midst and be separate” (2 Cor. 6:17). Find a church where Jesus is the main attraction, and become involved. Your eternity depends on it. To find out more about what God thinks of you, click here Steps To Salvation. Thanks for reading.