Leviticus 26-27; 1 Thessalonians 1
I think we all go through times in life where certain rules feel unfair or we just are plain annoyed by them. As kids, we probably didn't care for some of the rules our parents put into place, but as we get older, we can begin to understand why we have or had rules (hopefully). If you think of rules from the standpoint of a competitive sport, you know they are necessary. Without the rules, it would be a free-for-all, chaotic mess. People would get hurt and the game itself would essentially go nowhere. Life is similar to that because of the "rules" God sets out.
God didn't set rules to cast a cloud over us or make us feel constrained. In fact, God set the rules for His people because He loves them, and doesn't want to see the consequences of their actions ruin the rest of their lives. He knows the path you will go down and where it will lead you. If you truly know in your heart that God wants what is best for you, then following the rules will come naturally and with ease.
God lays out very clearly what will happen when the people fall away from Him. We can view this as a punishment from God, or we can view it as the consequences of OUR own choices, despite the warnings from God. (Remember when I mentioned that He knows what will happen down the path we take?) This happens today. We make a choice, despite the warnings, and we end up angry at God. (By the way, there is nothing wrong with being angry with God, but blaming Him is another story.) Our actions put us there, yet we think it's God's fault. Believe, believe, believe that God wants what is best for you. All His plans are good and His ways are good. His thoughts are higher.
It is very evident from the way we read this section of scripture in Leviticus, that we WILL break the rules and fall out of line with God's will in our lives. However, we also read that God has redeemed us and has welcomed us back when we decide to turn around back to Him. His grace and love are always ready to have us back.
Rules can actually empower and cause you to thrive. As we jump into 1 Thessalonians, we read how the church was a model one in Thessalonica. The people from all over looked up to it. Because the people had received the message of Good News and actually carried it out, following God's leading with obedience, they thrived. Even though the people had suffered for their work in Christ, they didn't turn. (vs. 6) Rather than blaming God with their sufferings, they "received the message with joy, despite the severe suffering it caused. As a result of their obedience through that suffering, they have become the great example to all around them.
The people of Thessalonica knew the lean on Christ when things got hairy. They knew where they foundation was, and because of that, they endured the storms of persecution. It is important to know who's rules you choose to play by. You can play by the world's rules and have acceptance in this world for your lifetime, or you can play by God's rules that never change, and have the only acceptance you need now and for eternity. This proves, however, that even if you follow the rules Christ gives, it doesn't mean life will become easier. It just means you know what source you're turning to.
There is freedom in the rules. Seems contradictory, but if you really think about it, not having rules would lead to chaos and no direction. A game of football (or Monopoly for you non-sporty people) wouldn't make sense without the rules. Life is the same way. However, you choose who's rules you play by. You can conform to all of the ways of this world, experiencing it for a lifetime, or you can be transformed by Christ and His Word, and have that acceptance for this life and eternity. Life won't be any easier either way, but your foundation will sure be different depending on which way you go.
God didn't set rules to cast a cloud over us or make us feel constrained. In fact, God set the rules for His people because He loves them, and doesn't want to see the consequences of their actions ruin the rest of their lives. He knows the path you will go down and where it will lead you. If you truly know in your heart that God wants what is best for you, then following the rules will come naturally and with ease.
God lays out very clearly what will happen when the people fall away from Him. We can view this as a punishment from God, or we can view it as the consequences of OUR own choices, despite the warnings from God. (Remember when I mentioned that He knows what will happen down the path we take?) This happens today. We make a choice, despite the warnings, and we end up angry at God. (By the way, there is nothing wrong with being angry with God, but blaming Him is another story.) Our actions put us there, yet we think it's God's fault. Believe, believe, believe that God wants what is best for you. All His plans are good and His ways are good. His thoughts are higher.
It is very evident from the way we read this section of scripture in Leviticus, that we WILL break the rules and fall out of line with God's will in our lives. However, we also read that God has redeemed us and has welcomed us back when we decide to turn around back to Him. His grace and love are always ready to have us back.
Rules can actually empower and cause you to thrive. As we jump into 1 Thessalonians, we read how the church was a model one in Thessalonica. The people from all over looked up to it. Because the people had received the message of Good News and actually carried it out, following God's leading with obedience, they thrived. Even though the people had suffered for their work in Christ, they didn't turn. (vs. 6) Rather than blaming God with their sufferings, they "received the message with joy, despite the severe suffering it caused. As a result of their obedience through that suffering, they have become the great example to all around them.
The people of Thessalonica knew the lean on Christ when things got hairy. They knew where they foundation was, and because of that, they endured the storms of persecution. It is important to know who's rules you choose to play by. You can play by the world's rules and have acceptance in this world for your lifetime, or you can play by God's rules that never change, and have the only acceptance you need now and for eternity. This proves, however, that even if you follow the rules Christ gives, it doesn't mean life will become easier. It just means you know what source you're turning to.
There is freedom in the rules. Seems contradictory, but if you really think about it, not having rules would lead to chaos and no direction. A game of football (or Monopoly for you non-sporty people) wouldn't make sense without the rules. Life is the same way. However, you choose who's rules you play by. You can conform to all of the ways of this world, experiencing it for a lifetime, or you can be transformed by Christ and His Word, and have that acceptance for this life and eternity. Life won't be any easier either way, but your foundation will sure be different depending on which way you go.
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