Rules and Regulations

We live in a society of rules. There are laws that we live by. Without them it would be chaos, and anarchy. Any society that values freedom must also value law. Though it is often viewed negatively, we are blessed to have a society that protects its citizens through a system of law (Deuteronomy 4:8; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 29:18).
The Ten Commandments were given to a nation as part of a covenant blessed by God (Exodus 20:1-17). The law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai was part of that blessing. It set in stone an outline of relationship between God and others. How God expects us to relate to Him, and how we are to relate to others is the subject of the Ten Commandments. Rules and regulations have corresponding rights and responsibilities.The rule not to steal corresponds to the right of ownership. Not to lie carries the responsibility and right of truth telling.
Many view law as a negative thing. It is God’s way of cramping our style, raining on our parade, and generally ruining any chance for fun we might have. Rightly viewed however, it is a blessing provided out of love and a desire to protect us. The laws of God are meant to enhance our life experience, not hinder free expression. Every “Thou Shalt Not” carries blessing. Every society that follows the principles of the Ten Commandments find order, safety, and security. Alternatively, a nation without law is a nation in distress.
The Ten Commandments give us rules not only to tell us how to live with one another, they tell us how to live in relationship with God. God commands us to worship Him alone (Exodus 20:3) because he knows that worship of any other thing degrades us. He commands us to revere His name (Exodus 20:7) because He knows that failure to hallow the name of God is symptomatic of people void of the sense of the truly sacred. The command to keep a day of rest (Exodus 20:8) is given as a blessing to us, for apart from rest and worship we unravel (Isaiah 58:13-14).
When asked what was the greatest law, Jesus summed up the whole of God’s rules and regulations with two commands. Love God, and Love your fellow man (Matthew 22:36-40). The two are interrelated. If we fail to love our brother, we really do not love God (1 John 3:10, 4:20-21). The whole of the law is applied in its many parts under the grand heading of Love. Love and law go hand in hand. It was God’s love that gave us the law. Our expression of love to God and neighbor is seen in how we keep the particulars of the law (Romans 13:10).

Rendering Unto Caesar

It is tax time again. It is interesting to note places taxes are mentioned in the Bible. Citizens were subject to assessment and were burdened with taxes (2 Kings 23:35; Esther 10:1). There was a flat tax (1 Samuel 8:15). People had to borrow money to pay their taxes (Nehemiah 5:4). Some were arrested for tax evasion (2 Kings 17:4). Clergy claimed an exemption (Ezra 7:24). Tax collector’s were not well thought of (Matthew 18:17) and were advised not to cheat others in performing their duties(Luke 3:12-13). By the same token, those paying taxes were not to cheat the government either (Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25). It was taxation (Per capita) that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-5). Jesus paid taxes and provided the funds for one of His disciples to pay what he owed (Matthew 17:24-27). He ate with many tax collectors (Mark 2:15) and even called one of them to be His disciple (Luke 5:27-28). A tax collector even wrote one of the Gospels (Mathew 9:9). Taxes have been a part of society for a long time. It is necessary for governments to protect its citizens and provide for the common good, and that is why its citizens are to pay taxes (Romans 13:6-7).

Stay Away From the Edge

Jesus was tempted but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Temptation itself is not sin. Yielding to temptation, however,is most definitely sin (Genesis 4:7). Our desires pull at us, yes, but that is not all. The devil joins chorus with the desires we have that would pull us away from obedience to God (Genesis 3:1-6; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Desires in themselves are not wrong (Psalm 37:4). It is where those natural desires take us away from the proper and lawful fulfillment of those desires that we run into problems (John 8:44). God has blessed us with laws and commands that keep us from self-destructive paths (Psalm 119:105). He has set boundaries for us. They are like guiderails to to keep us away from the precipice of sin (Psalm 37:31). If we keep on the path, we do well and God is with us (John 8:12; 1 John 1:7). If we crash through the guiderails we fall into sin and no longer walk the path of God (1 John 1:5-6).

The edge is where temptation lies (James 1:13-14). Trying to follow the Lord, but also traveling so close to the edge is where many Christians find trouble. Walking the path of obedience, but so close to the edge that they are only one step away from the precipice (Deuteronomy 11:16). Desires pull at us and the devil yells “Jump.” We can still walk on the road, but the temptation pulls. Temptation is strongest at the edge where the pull of desire is strongest and the call of Satan is loud (1 John 2:15-17).

Why is it that so many walk along the edge. We want to push the boundaries until we finally break through. If we would walk in the center of the path there would not be so much pull. The danger of sin is not so great when we center ourselves on the path (Psalm 16:11, 27:11, 119:32). If we turn to the right or the left, we get closer to the edge. Oh for that great middle way (Deuteronomy 5:32; Joshua 1:7). If temptation is strong, why not move away from the edge. Hear the warning of the law that says, “Stay Back!” Listen for the voice of God that says “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Remember others who have traveled the edge and broken through. Let them be a warning to you (Zechariah 1:4-6). Stay away from the edge!