Christianity is a set of beliefs, not a rule book.
It is a common misconception that Christians have to follow a lot of rules and cannot have any fun. There is so much more to the story! I hope that my words can clear things up a bit. When I finally understood that Christianity wasn’t about following rules, I could love God better and really live with the joy only God can provide.
Jesus is the ultimate freedom. Now, if you don’t understand Jesus, then this won’t make sense to you, so let me explain further. Jesus was sent into this world to demonstrate that God loves us so much that He would sacrifice His perfect son for us, imperfect people. The sacrifice of Jesus should give us peace. Jesus’ perfection stands in for our imperfection, thus punishment is no longer necessary for our sinfulness.
The Bible speaks truth about a lot of things, like what things will help us to be our best selves and what things will not. I think at least everyone can agree on the original “rules” the ten commandments gave us anyways (do not murder, do not steal, honor your parents, etc.). There are also a lot of rules that are debatable depending on what parts of the Bible you look at (i.e. Can Christians drink or do drugs? Can Christians have sex outside of marriage?)
However, there are a few things to take into account when you are trying to be a “good Christian” based on biblical standards.
1. The Bible was obviously written in a different time. Hence why we realize stoning women is just no longer okay. I don’t believe that the Bible holds God’s last words to the earth. In fact, I know this isn’t true. Just look around at all the situations where people have heard new messages from the Lord! I have heard some pretty profound truths in my life, too. God hasn’t stopped speaking and I don’t think He ever will. The Bible was just the start.
2. The Bible was written by human beings inspired by the Holy Spirit. As we all know, human beings are imperfect. Even the people we look up to the most have some pretty deep flaws and baggage. When we are little, we learn about the Bible and are mostly taught the “shiny” parts. Jesus loves us, this we know, etc. And you know what? It’s that simple. Jesus loves us.
Someone I know once pointed out to me that in all four gospels the statement to love God and our neighbors above all else is the same. It can be a rarity in the Bible for all accounts of a single event to have the same exact written interpretation. Let that sink in. If anything else in the Bible seems a little bit different from the idea that the number one thing you should be doing is loving, then maybe the reason is because it was written by a human being. Maybe they misheard or misinterpreted. What if they were in a bad mood when they wrote something or were projecting their own opinions onto others and utilizing their place of power?
The Bible can seem scary a lot of the time because people forget the fact that our loving God was not literally writing it. Life would be a lot easier if He had. I don’t believe the Bible isn’t to be trusted, and I use the Bible all the time as a way to understand God better. However, I’m going to say it: the Bible is imperfect too. Let God speak to you on what “rules” are important to your life. Let Him teach you how He wants you to live your life. As long as you are truly doing your best to love God and listen to Him, which of course includes living out His best life for you, that will be following His “rules.”
So I know your next question is: Alena, how do I hear from God on what He wants for my life in particular? Aren’t you just picking and choosing the verses you agree with?
No, I’m definitely not just picking and choosing. Anytime I do a Bible study, I am actively talking with God, and He speaks to me. I use Bible studies/the Bible as a type of conversation starter with God. By doing Bible studies, it relates your life to the Bible and involves God in your struggles and questions. God reveals truths or insights about how you are living that you may not have seen before.
If you feel like it’s not working for you, or you aren’t getting anything from it, I encourage you to keep going. Nearly every time I do a devotional I will have a moment where I say to God, annoyed, “What am I supposed to get out of this? I’m hearing nothing!” Yet after I keep journaling and reading, sure enough, some profound truths about myself and God are always revealed.
Remember, we all learn at different paces and God teaches us different lessons in our lives at different times and in different ways. He just wants to reach you somehow. Just because God gave you a message that He doesn’t want you to pursue something, (i.e. you feel convicted not to drink) that doesn’t mean that it is a “rule” for everyone. Talk to this wonderfully loving God. Listen to him. Remember, He wants to talk to you, and He just wants what is best for you.
Do your best to live for Him, and you will discover the joy that surpasses all understanding. This Maker of the Universe is so gracious. Even when we aren’t living out the life He would have chosen for us, He still loves us more than anything, and He’ll always be hoping for you to learn His will in your life. The best part? He never gives up, always perseveres, and He never fails (1: Corinthians 13:7). Don’t stress! God’s got your back! Can I get an Amen to that?
Thanks for reading!
Alena
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