RULES = JOY

I John 2:3-6 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.”

God wants his children to have joy. Even though your circumstances in this world may seem miserable, God still wants you to have joy. Everyone has some amount of trouble and trial in their life but no matter the circumstances you can still have joy. This goes against our human reasoning because we think that joy only comes when there are no problems to solve, no trials to face, in other words, no worries. (This is where you say “HAKUNA – MATATA!”) Everyone wants a “trouble-free” or “problem-free” life. However, joy is a virtue that has to be sought out. Real joy is a matter of perspective. 

Our flesh also wants to live a “rule-free” life. We don’t mind if everyone else has rules imposed upon them so long as we are the exception to the rule. We don’t mind telling others how they ought to behave, as long as we can behave however we want in any circumstance. The problem with that is God is not a respecter of persons. In a world where everyone wants “equal rights”, if you are free to be the exception to the rule, then I am equally free to make myself exempt from them as well. In such a case, there are NO RULES. God has a better plan. He wants us to follow the rules and guidelines that Jesus gave us. There are the Ten Commandments. They were given as a way to teach us and bring us to Jesus. The Bible calls them “our schoolmaster.” Once we have come to know Christ as Saviour, we are under grace. NOT that there are no longer standards or rules for the Christian. Lots of people like to say, “I’m not under law, I’m under grace” as an excuse to live their life any way they want to. Grace requires greater sacrifice than the law did. First Thessalonians chapter five gives a list of OVER twenty exhortations, or commandments if you will, to the Christian.

Every society is regulated with rules. These rules are not meant to be a burden they are there for our safety and protection. Just as parents set rules for their children, God has set rules for the Christian. Parents NEED to do this for their kids, as much as the kids NEED the rules. Jesus is our example. We want to do OUR will. But Jesus wanted to do his FATHER’S will. When we follow the rules there is true happiness, and holiness. Third John, verse four says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” How can you walk in truth, if there are no rules?

There are always going to be “copy-cats & imitators” in the world. It is easy to pretend to be something you are not. But the Bible calls us a “liar” when we do that. If we are going to imitate anybody, it should be Jesus! There is always help, there is always hope, there is always happiness for the person who is willing to tell the truth. For example, if a lame man, in the presence of Jesus, pretends that he can walk, who is he fooling? Or perhaps a blind man pretends he can see, what does that profit him when The One who can heal him is right there? They had to admit they needed help. The same goes for the lost person, or the backslidden Christian. The only way to be healed or restored is to admit your condition. When we lie about who and what we really are we separate ourselves from the help that can bring us REAL JOY. Only the truth makes free. (John 8:32) Jesus is that Truth. 

GOOD WORSHIP vs. GODLY WORSHIP

Proverbs 28:4-5 “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.”

Good intentions do not eliminate the consequences when we choose to disobey God’s commands. One example would be that of Cain. In Genesis 4:3-7, Cain brings an offering to the Lord. It seems as though his hearts desire is to honor God with the best of his garden, in which he has labored much. However, Cain knew what an offering to the Lord was supposed to be. He had to have seen his parents sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord during his growing up years. Yet, he brings an offering of his own choosing. God gives him another opportunity to do the right thing, but Cain is rebellious toward God and refuses. The result, Abel is murdered, and Cain is cursed. He is alienated from all who knew him, becoming a fugitive and a vagabond for the rest of his days.

Another example is found in II Samuel 6. David wants to see the ark of the Lord sitting in the city of Zion. I believe that David’s heart was in the right place. However, back in Numbers 4:15, you will find that God had given specific instruction on how to handle the ark of the Lord. He even defines “how and by whom” it should be moved. (Deut. 10:8) No matter how good David’s intentions were, he still was not doing it God’s way. Even though his hearts desire was to honor and worship the Lord, it still had to be done according to the Lord’s command. Thus, Uzzah dies. (v.6-7) David is displeased with what the Lord has done. However, unlike Cain, he learns his lesson and when he returns to move the ark, he does it God’s way. (I Chronicles 15:1-15)

The next example we find is in Acts 5. The church is doing well. They are enjoying each other in fellowship and revival. Often when this is happening, there is a “but” that takes folks attention off of their service. Such is the case in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira have just seen (in Acts 4) Barnabas and others, sell their property and possessions and give them to the church. I don’t know if they envied the honor that was bestowed upon those who did this, or if they were just trying to follow their lead. Either way, they messed up. It is good to follow the example of those who live righteous lives and serve the Lord faithfully but honor without sacrifice is not God’s way. The basic moral sin here is that they lied! They knew what was right but somehow they rationalized in their own minds that what they were doing was okay. (Pro. 16:25) “There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” There are no secrets from God. We can fool everyone around us, but we cannot fool Him. Satan always takes the lead when we allow our will to take precedence over God’s will. Thus, the punishment is sudden and severe. Both die and are carried out and buried within a few hours of each other. 

You may think that God was far too harsh in his dealing with these men. Some might say, “The punishment didn’t fit the crime.” There are many areas of service in which we can honor, and worship our Lord. However, both must be based on His Word, and done in the manner that God has commanded it to be done, or it is for naught. No matter how good our intentions may be, we still have to follow God’s commands. It does not matter if we can justify our actions to ourselves, or others. It only matters that our actions glorify God. He has given us specific instructions on “how and by whom” the service is to be done. He even instructs on the “where and when” of our worship. Just because we “mean well” does not mean that God has to accept it. Good intentions do not secure the blessings of God. God is looking for people to worship Him, but He commands that it be done in spirit and in truth. No one can be a good servant of God unless they are willing to follow the rules given in His Word. 

Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.