rules of being a Christian

Now, if you started to read this blog because I was going to give you the magical rules of being the best Christian you can be, you're sadly mistaken.  I do know that most Christians who claim they are living the Christian lifestyle can say that they grew up in a church with rules and regulations to being a Christian.  I know I did.  I actually grew up in a few churches that had their own set of rules that everyone needed to follow otherwise you were shameful for counting yourself a follower of God.  Leslie Ludy mentions that when we were younger and we had rules that we had to follow, whether it be rules of the church or houserules set by our parents, we tried to follow the rules because someone said so.  But, have you ever gone out of your way for your parents or the church that had nothing to do with the rules that were put into place?  I know there are numerous times when I cleaned my mom's house or my sister's house without them asking me because I knew it was hard on them to do it themselves.  I actually did this without looking for recognition but just to let them know that they were not in it alone.  I was there to help.  I felt so much better after helping my mom clean her house when I was younger that it didn't matter to me that there was a rule set in place about me cleaning my room every Saturday.  Who cared?  But, once everyone was gone and out of the house, I knew this was the opportunity to clean the house so mom and dad did not have to do it when they got home and we could just spend the evening together.  They would come home and thank me and occasionally go out and buy me a card letting me know how much they appreciated my act of kindness. 

Following the "Christian rules" really is not about the fact that someone set them in place and we have to follow them without question because it was the right thing to do.  What about following the rules of the Bible because God put them there because he loves us that much?  Who cares about pleasing the people of the world and I'm sorry but even your parents when God asks something of you?  Why would you want to please anyone else?  As a Christian, we should follow the rules of being a Christian because we love God.  We should have no other reason but that.  We love God enough to live by the standards He has set for us because He knows if we tried to follow our own rules we would be hurt so many times we would be worthless.  He does not want that to happen to us.  He loves us way too much.  So my challenge for you, is to follow God's plan and standards for you because you love Him that much.