I’m a rule follower, friends. I just like rules and think they make things work well. That doesn’t make following rules I don’t like easier for me (maybe?); it just means that I would rather have the rule.
But it’s not that great of a thing. You see, rule followers are judgers. For me, rule following is a judgment on myself. If I have rules, I can tell how I’m measuring up. There is the temptation to judge others.
But God is not about rules and commands. He’s about His glory. And His glory best manifests itself in the grace He gives to us unholy beings.
I’ve been studying some scriptures on giving and unity because our church is entering a season of fundraising for land. And I’ve realized that if God came and gave me a vocal directive for how much to give over and above our tithe to this campaign, I would just do it. I would trust Him and obey because I know what He commands is good and perfect.
But His glory is magnified by faith! It’s not magnified by robots.
And so He provides leading in His Word. He provides parables that challenge my comfort. But He doesn’t give me a rule.
That’s where the faith comes in.
I have to listen to Him daily. I have to look at His Word. I have to ask questions of my budget. Most of all, I have to be connected to Him to take a step of faith.
