Rules or Relationships
by David Cross
World religions invariably focus on the following of rules in order to please whoever is the relevant deity, but not so with Christianity. What a blessing! The God of the Bible knows the extent of human weakness and our inability to meet the requirements that would truly put us right with Him.
God has made a way for this by the appearance on earth of His Son who was able to meet every condition for the covenant that God has purposed for His children.
When Peter the disciple had messed up through his denial of knowing Jesus, he was not given a rulebook to follow in order to make amends. Instead, Jesus gets straight to the heart of the issue.
The restoration of Peter, to being reconciled with God, is dependent simply on whether Peter is in a humble and loving relationship with the One who is always right with God. Jesus asks Peter the foundational question: "Do you love me?" When Peter says that he does, Jesus requires nothing more in order secure Peter’s restoration and his commissioning.
Just trying to follow divine rules in order to satisfy a deity is worthless religion. Choosing to follow and love Jesus, who has fully satisfied God on our behalf, leads to a life-saving divine relationship.
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
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