By Johnny
Hester
Long ago I grew tired of the
wrangling: "Is
the Bible a 'book of rules' or a 'love letter'?" The very
posing of the question itself reflects an obvious need for
greater spiritual maturity. Think about it ...
The small child may, at times,
see his parents primarily as dictators - whose sole
funtion in life, it seems, is to issure restrictions and
rules by which he must abide. "Rules!
Is that all they thinlk about?" However, when
the child matures, he begins to see that these rules were
clear evidence of his parent's love. The rules were not
issued to benefit the parents, but to protect, guide and
bless the child.
So it is with our Father in
heaven. Rules? Yes, God gives us rules by which He expects
us to abide. His revelation to man, the bible, should be
seen as loving instruction which will ultimately lead us
to Him. He loves us and wants us to live with Him
eternally in heaven.
Carefully examine the words of
Jesus: "This
is my commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you. Greater love has not one than this, than to lay
down one's life for his friends" (John 15:12-13). Just imagine
the phenomenal change and the amazing blessings which
would result from our living one another in the same way
Jesus loves us. He was willing to die on a Roman cross for
our salvation. There is no greater love than that which
would compel one to "lay
down [his] life for his friends!" To love one
another in just this way, said Jesus, "is My
commandment." It is a rule
issued in love to foster love among us.
Let us endeavor to grow in our
love for the Lord. This, will, in turn, enable us to love
one another as He loves us.
- Johnny Hester preaches for the Shady Acres Church of
Christ, in Sikeston, MO. He may be contacted through
the church's website at http://www.shadyacreschurch.com
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