It is about relationship not rules – Esperanza Revolucion

God is not holding us to a set of rules that we must live by.

We like boundaries as they can be comforting. We easily slip into thinking of relationship with God as a checklist or a set of rules that we must live by. Say our prayers, do right by God, love other people, attend church… and then we get salvation. Except that isn’t what the Bible says.

…Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3 verse 2 – 3

Grace is given to all who believe as a free gift. We do not earn it and Paul urges us to remember that. We are redeemed through Christ, not through what we do. Following Christ is not about being obedient to rules.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Colossians 2 verse 16 – 17

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations — “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used) — according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2 verse 20 – 23

Paul is saying here that the rules and regulations of their heritage and cultural traditions are no longer important to those who follow Christ. They can be comforting to follow, but they count for nothing.

You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition.
Mark 7 verse 9

Here Jesus is condemning the Pharisees for the laws and rules that they impose on people, supposedly on God’s behalf. This is exactly what the Roman Catholic Church has done throughout history. Tradition and practices have taken priority over the word of God.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Philippians 3 verse 7 – 9

Paul is reminding us of the freedom that we can enjoy because we have a faith that is dependent on Christ and not on our own ability to obey rules. And that is how the gospel works. Righteousness in Jesus and what he did on the cross, given to us through our faith.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. … So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10 verse 23, 31

Paul is addressing the concerns of the church in Corinth, specifically around what they should eat, but the principle of his response is relevant to us: Although not all things are advisable, there are no ‘rules’ other than in everything you do, do it all in relationship with God for his glory.

Finally, in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9, the writers tell of how Jesus went to a mountain to pray with Peter, John and James. Whilst on the mountain they encountered Moses and Elijah who were talking with Jesus. This is a further demonstration that God is a God of relationship and not rules. Moses and Elijah were not people who confessed their sins ritualistically, instead they were men who were in relationship with God. They knew God and were known by him.

Deeper Dive

God desires to have relationship with his people. This is why he created mankind, -for relationship. From Adam and Eve to Abraham, to Moses, to the Jewish people. Then Jesus comes so that all can live in the freedom of being in relationship with God.

I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
Amos 5 verse 21 – 22

The prophet Amos here is reiterating that God doesn’t want our stuff, or our rituals. He wants our heart. He wants us.

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
2 Peter 2 verse 19 – 20

Peter here is urging believers of Jesus not to listen to false prophets who keep believers enslaved to ritual and rules, but instead to live under the grace and freedom that relationship with God through faith in Jesus provides.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yolk of slavery.
Galatians 5 verse 1

For you were called to freedom…
Galatians 5 verse 13

Paul says that Christ has set us free in order that we should be free. Freedom, though, requires resistance against a return to bondage.

Paul is warning here about the circumcision crowd but it could be any rule or ‘law’ that someone is trying to impose under the guise of earning God’s approval.

Paul also says in verse 3 and 4 that if we are “obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law.” Meaning if we try and save ourselves by the law it cuts us off from Christ because we are turning our back on his grace.

So, live under the freedom that we have been given.