The Danger of Reverting to Rules

Do you sometimes wonder where all the unwritten rules come from, especially in the church?

One of the things that stands out about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it is absolutely free, provided to us just as we are. Every other religion or self-improvement plan on earth is a veiled or not-so-veiled self-help project. If you match up or have enough or do enough, maybe you will achieve God’s favor, or goodness, or enlightenment, or whatever.

In Christ, we are completely forgiven and declared righteous based on his work on the cross. Our relationship with God is guaranteed in him. Once we yield our lives to him, the religion of rule-keeping goes in the trash for good. Instead, God transforms our very nature and character from the inside out.

Why are we who believe in Christ so prone to revert back to the “rules” basis of spiritual maturity, as modeled by the Pharisees during the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry?

God addresses this issue through Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Chapter 2, verses 20–23: “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations – ‘Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used) – according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religions and asceticism and severity to the body, but are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Instead, in Chapter 3, Paul instructs us to look inwardly, to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (v. 5), and positively to “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (v. 12).

In the final analysis, rule-based religion is not only enslaving; it flies in the face of the deep character transformation God intends for us. In God’s strength and wisdom, may we purge legalism this year and instead look inwardly and focus on the deep, ongoing character transformation that God in Christ is bringing about in us.

Happy New Year to all!

In Christ,
Chris Heinss