Rules versus Relationship

We sure have messed things up! We have managed to convince skeptics and critics of the Christian faith that it’s all about rules. Just ask unbelievers to describe a Christian and you will see what I mean. The most common responses will focus on the apparent rules and regulations that believers endeavor to follow.
Why do so many Christians continue to project a religion of rules? I suppose it is because many of them make rules their focus. Don’t they get it? Jesus did not surrender his life to the tortuous death of a criminal slave to establish a religion of rules!
Rules are lifeless, cold, and insensitive and so is a religion that is based on them. When dominated by rules, some Christians simply learn how to bend and twist those rules, to get around them and, if necessary, to break them. Conversely, others develop religious pride that’s rooted in their ability to keep the rules.
While it is true that my Christian faith governs my thoughts, words, and actions, I left rules behind a long time ago. Rules have glaring limitations. How many times have we heard of a distraught mom pleading for a judge’s mercy with words like, “He’s a good boy. He was just hanging out with the wrong crowd; he just got involved with some bad people.” Rules had failed. Relationships clearly have a greater impact on one’s actions. Relationships trump rules.
It is my daily relationship with Jesus that rules my life. This best explains why there are some things I will not do and some places I refuse to go. To do those things or go to those places would mean choosing to keep company with someone other than Jesus. If He won’t go there, neither will I!
The Christian life begins when a bad person meets a good Person whose name is Jesus. And true Christian living happens when we “hang out” with Jesus. That’s why the Bible calls us followers of Christ, not followers of rules!