Christian Rules

Why are there so many rules for Christians? If God is going to forgive why have rules?

It seems to me that many of the posts encourage a secular philosophy of "anything goes". Being a Christian goes farther than just accepting Christ and continuing your day to day routine. There are things recorded in the scriptures that instruct us in living in Christ. Through the study of scripture we learn what is acceptable for living a Christian life. As a Christian we do have guidelines or rules that are set forth for us through the scriptures so that we can grow in grace. This comes through study, discipleship and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us according to the scriptures.

I understand that many are scared of rules because it infringes on individual freedoms and can hinder social lives of many people. Many want to hang onto their past and to continue living in the world while trying to be a part of the religious crowd on Sundays and Holidays. The problem is God doesn't want to share you with the world and you as a Christian have become His, payed for with a price. As a Christian you can do what you want. You can ignore scripture and live like the devil but is it justified by scripture? You can ignore everything that has been written and never get beyond walking down the aisle and praying with the preacher. But God wants you to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many rules imposed by churches are not about Christianity but about denominational rules; haircuts, wearing dresses, women wearing makeup. These rules don't help Christians to grow in knowledge but can hinder them in their growth.

[It misses the main point of Christianity. It isn't about what we should and shouldn't do, it is about following Jesus.]

The main point of Christianity is to have a relationship with the true and living God through the person of Jesus Christ. It is based upon what God has done through Jesus Christ.

There are guidelines or rules throughout the NT, from the Gospels on, that have been ignored for years under the knowledge that God is a forgiving God and He knows we will fall. Why do we fall through sin? through disobedience. But if there is no rules how can we fall? if there are no rules how do we know what is sin.

Society has rules, as an American I am subject to rules of our nation. Do I know all the rules? no. Since I don't know all the rules am I subject to the rules I do not know? yes. If an immigrant becomes a citizen of this country and the next day breaks one of the rules that is in place, is he responsible even if he didn't know the rule existed? yes. Who's fault is it? his. He is not pardoned because of ignorance of the law, Its his responsibility to learn the rules of the society he is a part of.

As Christians we have scripture that gives us rules to live by. New Christians are just as subject as older mature Christians to learn and live by these. We grow by learning what these are and applying this knowledge to our lives. To be more like Jesus we have to walk in His precepts.

[When it comes to drinking, swearing, and sex, I think the main question one should ask is, am I being as pure as I can be? Am I glorifying God in my body and mind? Am I acting like I am a temple of the living God?] Linda

Exactly Linda, our bodies are a temple of God. To ignore the scriptures we are negating the fact that we belong to God, for His use and His purposes. We are no longer our own person but a new creature in Christ Jesus. We are to live to serve and to please Him.

1 Cor. 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Romans 8:8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified . For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

We don't have less of a life as a Christian, even with rules, but we have a more abundant life.