Rules and regulations or relationship?

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Rules and regulations leave me cold.  They are there for our good, as boundaries to protect us.  But they are lifeless. 

Jesus is alive.  God walked this earth.  Jesus conquered death once and for all by rising from the dead.  He never died and neither will we.  We will live forever in either heaven or hell.  This is God's design.

We can know God here and now!  We don't have to wait until heaven!

He has given us His Word, the Scriptures, wherein He reveals Himself to us.  He has blessed us with His Holy Spirit so that we may understand the Scriptures.  

God wants us!  

God wants an intimate, personal relationship with each and every one of us.

We were born to be in relationship with Him.  This is our highest and truest purpose.

We were born for relationships with people, yes. 

But our ultimate relationship is with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why would anyone deify rules and regulations - get their identity or satisfaction in them - when we can have a living, vital relationship with the Lord?!

Religion binds.  Christ sets free.

The law is powerless to fulfill our hearts.  Yes, we are to obey them.  Only problem is, apart from Christ and His Holy Spirit in us, we can't!

None of us are able to obey God's commands to us in and of ourselves.  That is the reason the law was written - to show us that we are powerless to obey them!  To show our need of a Savior!  Help!  Lord, I can't keep these Commandments of Yours!  

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:10

Oh maybe some can put on a good show and obey from the outside.  But that doesn't cut it.  For the Lord knows our hearts.  Ouch.

And each of us from Mother Theresa to Attilla the Hun have broken His righteous law.

So we run to Jesus.  That is the only antidote for our wretched selves.  

The takeaway?  We are born not for rules and regulations but relationship.  We are born for God.  

So don't let your idea of religion keep you from knowing God.  Jesus loves you!  He's crazy about you!  That is what your heart really wants - Him.  

Oh Lord.  You let us know You!  This blows my mind.  The Creator of the atom as well as the oceans; of DNA and the planets and stars (I could go on and on!) - You want an intimate relationship with us!  Thank You isn't enough!  I want to spend all of my life getting to know You more and more.  For therein lies my identity, purpose, rest, and soul satisfaction.  I love, adore, praise, and honor You, Lord Jesus.  Thank You for having this unending relationship with me.  Thank You for filling up my heart.  Oh what riches we have in You, Lord Jesus! In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

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