Christianity is not about rules

Some people have the notion that religions are merely sets of rules that people must obey to please their god. This might be true for many of them, but Christianity is not about rules; it is about a relationship:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3:16–23)

God lives in me. Could I dare make that statement without some backup? The above verses plus others tell me it is true. Sometimes I do not feel very much like a dwelling place for deity and more often do not act like it, but God says it is true and I remember the day it happened. Adjusting to this invasion from on high requires a lifetime of learning to cooperate with Him. This is what it means to be a Christian.

Tozer says humanity “moved out of the heart of God by sin, now moves back into the heart of God by redemption.” It is His design that I be one with Him and since I could not do this myself, He did the work and miracle of redemption.

How could this intimate presence of God allow anyone to stay the same? And how could anyone claim to be a Christian without evidence that Almighty God has taken up residence? We make mistakes, sometimes fall into sin, but those in whom Christ dwells eventually drop our foolishness in favor of His righteousness, letting His glory be our motivation instead of being driven by selfishness. Let no one claim to know Jesus and hang on to always having everything their way. It is simply not the way it works.

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Jesus, today I feel like going back to bed, having a pity-party, whining. But You live in me and You urge me to be holy, wise in You, and thankful that all You are is my hope and my glory. The Holy Spirit is here to create love, peace and joy, not selfishness, unrest, and a crabby attitude!