The struggle for rule-followers to accept a life of grace is real. At every turn we look to rules to redeem and rescue us. But God keeps reaching into his deep pockets of grace to reach us. However, rules do play a role in the life of the church, and we grace-filled members need to feel the tension. After reflective consideration I’ve come to these five rules that play a role in guiding the church.
Rule #1 We are saved by God’s grace and not by the rules we keep. We can be looking at Ephesians 2:8-10, which reminds us that if salvation came by following rules then it’s accounted to us as wages, or we can study Galatians 2:16 where by nature the law condemns. No matter how good we are at keeping the rules, we cannot keep them to the level where we are sinless. And even if we kept the rules perfectly, rule-keeping cannot compensate for our own sinfulness.
Rule #2 The only law that matters is the law to love. The first century Jews had numbered and ranked some 600 laws, then they debated which the important ones were. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment (Mt. 22:23-40; Mk. 12:28-34; Lk. 10:25-28), he was invited into a local debate. His answer was a combination of the Shema in Deuteronommy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Simply put, love God and love your neighbor. Jesus claims that every other rule emerges from our ability (or lack there-of) to love God and to love our neighbor (Mt. 22:40).
Rule #3 Never neglect the weightier matters of the law. Jesus seems to draw from Micah when saying there are some laws more important than others like justice, mercy and faithfulness (Mt. 23:23). Micah says that God wants us to “act justly, love mercy and walk in humbleness” (Micah 6:8b). Some laws are more important than others, and the most important ones seem closely tied to loving God and loving each other.
Rule #4 Those bent toward following rules are spiritually immature. When Paul discussed the role of the law, he depicted it as a “babysitter” until Christ came (Gal. 3:24-25). When we grow and mature, we no longer need rules to guide our lives because the Spirit’s work takes over. If we argue for rules then chances are we’re not the mature Christian but the baby who is demanding his/her own way. Because of our immaturity we may need some rules or boundaries in place to protect us, but we should never confuse wisdom with Scripture authority by binding our opinion on everyone one else.
Rule #5 Churches need operational rules. Because churches are comprised of varying levels of spiritual maturity, church leaders may need to make policy regarding a number of issues. For instance, what is the benevolent policy? Do they help everyone who asks? How much are they willing or capable of helping? Some of the rules may be harmless like how long the morning assembly should last. Some rules may very well violate the law to love or the weightier matters of the law, like whether or not to accept into membership a person of a different race. Important clarification is needed in regard to church policy: do not confuse the need for policy to guide an individual congregation with actual teaching from Scripture.
The irony of trying to live by grace is that we continue to create rules to guide our lives. So as I reflect on my proposed lost, I don’t know if I’m on to something or I’m just as immature as the next person. Nevertheless, those are my rules for having rules in the church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)