21 Days of Deep Livingنموونە

Relationship Rules!

The Christian Faith is not just a declaration of who we are, but who we are in relationship with.

In our anchor Scripture, the Bible tells us that David was a man after God’s own Heart, someone who sought not what God can do, but who God is. David was remembered here for his relationship with God.

This is the difference in our "religion" when compared to any other. God calls us into a relationship with Him, a deep intimate relationship. Interestingly, because David was after God’s Heart, the Bible goes on to say "he will do everything I want him to do." Loving God, and pursuing intimacy with Him is what enables us to be obedient to His Word. It is not fear that drives us to obedience or a set of rules that keeps us in check. Rather it is the love that we have for God that governs the way we live our lives. Walking with God is about knowing the Heart of God. The more we read and meditate on His Word, we begin to see who God is and what makes Him tick.

There is a misconception at times, that being a Christian is about knowing God’s Rules and being careful not to disobey them. However, the anchor Scripture reminds me of a relationship between a couple. When a man and a woman get married, after the wedding is done, they do not sit down and bring out the list of rules for one another to follow. Instead through relationship, they seek to know the heart of their spouse. They want to fully understand what brings joy to their spouse and similarly avoid the things that don’t. They behave in a way that aligns with what their spouse wants, not because of coercion, manipulation, or out of fear, but because of love.

When Jesus was asked what is the most important Commandment, i.e. what is the fundamental thing for us as Christians to do, He responded "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the Greatest Commandment because once you love God, you will do everything He wants for you to do. Everything else will follow. Consider the language Jesus uses here - He refers to loving God with the totality of your being.

• All your heart; your desires, intentions, your words
• All your soul; your emotions, your feelings
• All your mind; your thoughts, your imagination

All of the above should be in line with what the Word says about the Will of God on what the state of our heart, soul, and mind should be. Relationship with God drives where we go, who we hang around with, what we say, and what we do. This faith journey is not about dos and don'ts or religious guidelines because when there are rules and no relationship, it will ultimately lead to rebellion.

This year, let us fall so deeply in love with God that we know His Heart, we know what pleases Him, and it pleases us to do everything He wants us to do. David was known as being a man after God’s own Heart and so he did everything God wanted him to do. Will the same be said about you?