Rules vs relationship
Paul was writing to the Corinthian church and talking to them about what they were building onto his foundation. He had laid the foundation, and others were living within that framework. Let’s look: “Some will use gold, silver, or precious stones in building on this foundation; while others will use wood, hay or straw. But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire—the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.”
Obviously, wood, hay, etc., will burn up and leave nothing behind, while precious stones survive the fire. But the question is, how do you know if your work is worthy of reward?
It’s actually pretty simple. Which way are your feet facing? Which way are your eyes looking? Paul said it this way, to this same church several years later: “But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by its craftiness, your minds may be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to the Messiah. Let me explain.
I was in a large group of people recently when one of the men made a declaration: “No one should touch alcohol! It is awful, and nothing good comes from it!” Thus began a debate amongst the group, “Jesus drank!” “It leads to so much sin.” back and forth. There was no yelling or arguing, but it was a contested subject.
Let me use the alcohol as an example to show you the difference between wood, hay, stubble, and precious stones.
I grew up in a household that did not drink. My father, mother, uncle, and aunts never drank. We were a strict religious household, and I hold no ill feelings because every man has to raise his house in the manner he feels God is leading. Good for my parents. I,, however, did not abide by the rules as I got older. When I became an adult, I began to drink. I was not in church when I drank, and it was normal for a sinner to drink sometimes…so I filled the role. After 20 years I came back to God. But I didn’t stop drinking. I would sit with my Bible in my hand and a bourbon in the other. Every day after work, I would grab them. I liked the taste, and I did it safely at home.
But then came the day after 6-7 years. I was praying, and I heard the voice of God, “You can’t go any farther until you stop drinking.” Note, he didn’t say I was a sinner, going to hell, he was telling me as a Father, that it was time to lay aside the “Weight.” (Hebrews 12:1) I fought it for over a year. I loved bourbon. Loved it, but I loved him most. I wanted to be closer to him and eventually I put it down. But I can honestly say, that I did not grow at all in that year. I stayed faithful, church, bible, prayer….but no real growth.
My surrender of the thing I loved to the ONE I loved was based out of relationship. My father asked me to.
It is truly possible, and whole denominations do this, to make everyone abide by the rules. We have rules for everything, but if I give up because of the rule, I lose the relationship. Man’s rules kill relationship, always. The Pharisees followed the rules…and Jesus told them their worship was useless because they taught man made rules as if they were law. (Matthew 15:9)
We can make rules all day long, but the rules make you look to yourself, or an organization, then we have established religion.
Giving up alcohol or even doing good because “it’s what you’re supposed to do” on judgment day is going to be wood, hay, and stubble….and will be burned up because it’s not borne out of simple devotion to Christ.
However, if you give things up at his behest, or because in no way would you want to hurt, harm, defame him because you love him. It is based in relationship…it will be precious stones on the day of judgment.
Let me say it another way, I don’t remain faithful to my wife because cheating is wrong. I remain faithful because I love her, and my action are borne out of that love.
Why do you do what you do? Rules or relationship?
