Rulishness Destroys Relationships

2 Corinthians 3:6
"6 who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament — not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."

The principles that the Lord has given us are guidelines for the conduct of our life. They are not hammers to beat others into submission, nor are they detailed to such a degree that one feels as though they are in a straight jacket in their Christian walk.

Within every principle about modesty there is room for creativity and variations of modesty. When a cult makes rules about the length of dress or style of hair, they are stepping over the line from good godly sense into legalism and oppression.

Where there is no clear description of clothing or conduct then we must seek the Holy Spirit, each of us, for the freedom within that principle to express our personalities and bents.

Those who attempt to make extra Biblical rules to control others, are not walking in faith nor are they obeying the Word, they only think they are "doing something for God", but they have added to His Word through their rulishness.

I have no problem with someone deciding for themselves to do something for God that is out of the realm of His Word, but that same person cannot place their chosen rule on anyone else, judging them or rejecting them for their lack of compliance.

I have seen more relationships destroyed beyond mending because of judgments about others that were nothing more than differences in ways of doing things, that were not violations of the Word.

It is acceptable to challenge others on their clothing style if it is clearly provocative, potentially causing the men to fall into lustful thoughts and even actions.

I was almost a little concerned about writing this piece because I didn't want weak believers to think that "anything goes", simply because we have freedom in Christ. That is not my point at all.

My point is that too often we judge one another on things that God never made clear in His Word. Each principle that God has given us, is a choice to follow, and we should choose to follow them, however, there is great latitude within those principles for how we obey them.

Christ has never oppressed us with heavy burdensome rules that squash our God given personalities. He gave us guidelines to honor Him and when followed, they bless us.

The bottom line: Seek to obey God, seek to hear Him for our lives and give latitude for others to express themselves in their own way within the guidelines God has given us.

We also need to leave room for growth, when a new believer does not yet know a principle then we can walk gently.

If a person is in rebellion to instruction, then a strong rebuke is necessary to help them understand the seriousness of their actions. There is place for rebuke and even shunning, but not over things that are expressions of personality, and not clearly defined in the Word of God.

Let us be kind and discerning concerning the "questionable" things. To many people are acting superior others over things that really don't matter.

May each of us seek to please Christ rather than elevating self with pious and self righteous human rules.

Matthew 11:30
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."