Monday, June 23, 2008

The dead have no rules

Col 2:20-23
20 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— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
  • What is the difference between God's rules and man's rules?
  • How can you determine the source of the rules you live by?
  • When is a rule-based life beneficial to a Christian?
  • How has dying to the elemental spirits of the world changed your life?
  • What man-made rules for living drive your life?
  • Are man-made rules a source of freedom or bondage?
Harold's Musings:
Rules and regulations imply control, yet they are impotent by themselves. Throughout history, countless rules have been made and I suspect every one of them have been broken more than once. Even the best of rules seem to have exceptions, conditional variations. Ultimately rules are guidelines for those who want something. If you want to win a contest, you must at least follow the rules. In recent years, rules and even laws seem to be perceived as optional; the exception is the norm. Rules do not control. They merely appear to control. When you died to Christ, you died to the elemental spirits of the world. It means you should not even want then things that the rules were created to prevent. What rules your life: Christ, rules, or you?

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