Many people who claim to be Christians live by rules, meaning their Christianity is based on what they do and don't do and that is also how they "share Jesus" by telling others what they are doing wrong and what they should and shouldn't be doing. This wasn't God's intention for Christianity and keeping a bunch of rules really isn't faith as much as it is religion.
Religion is what Jesus had to fight against as He lived on this earth and did His ministry. As you read through the gospel accounts of the life of Christ, Jesus didn't spend His time giving the world a bunch for do's and don'ts's religious rules, He instead gave instructions on what being a follow of Christ looked like and He also spent much of His time debating and confronting the so-called "religious" folks of that day, who were so deep in their legalistic religious practices that they chose rule keeping over a relationship with Jesus and loving others. Jesus came to not only become our sin sacrifice, he also wanted to do away with ritualistic legalistic religious practices.
It's not much different in our modern world. We think if we do this we're a good Christian or if we don't do that were a good Christian. We judge harshly and criticize those both in and out of the church who don't follow or keep our "religious rules". Sadly, most of our rules come from our spiritual ignorance or immaturity, church traditions passed down by family or our church group. We boldly claim that is what God said and what the Bible said, yet many times we can't find those words in the Bible or if we do they are taken out of context or misused entirely to back up our opinions, beliefs, and stances. My friends, that is not Christianity.
Christianity is being a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. It means desiring our life to reflect His. Yes, there are certain responsibilities we should do as Christians and yes, there are certain behaviors/attitudes we should avoid. However, trying to live out your faith with a religious list of do's and don't 's isn't going to save you anymore than it's going to keep you saved. Having an on-going, daily relationship with Jesus Christ, tapping into the power of His Holy Spirit within you, being a student of His Holy Word, and being an active part of His body(as a church member) is what's going to help you grow and mature into a devoted and healthy follow of Jesus Christ.
Dogs and many other animals can be trained by do's and don'ts. Even people can keep rules and breaks rules, but rules aren't why were here or aren't going to take us where we want to go. Jesus is the only way to God and salvation and He alone saves, not any rules. Rules, rituals, and traditions do us no good especially when they are the main source and soul reason we claim to be a Christian.
We will not ever grow, learn, develop, or mature in a relationship of faith by keeping rules or living by a list of preconceived do's and don'ts. Neither will be influence or lead someone to Jesus with enforcing a list of do's and don'ts on them. Instead of having this attitude of rules, how about growing in your walk with the Lord and because of that growing relationship with Christ, Jesus will lead and guide you to do what He wants you to do according to His Word and Will or He'll lead you to what He doesn't want you to do, not by rules of do's and don'ts, but by relationship.
If your Christianity is built upon the rules you keep or don't break, I pray you repent and change your attitude. It's not enough to keep rules, it's about having a relations
hip with the Ruler.
Matthew 15:9(niv)
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Colossians 2:21-23(niv)21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
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