Posted by Dena on March 10, 2008, at 22:01:28
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to rayww-revlaw, posted by rayww on March 10, 2008, at 13:07:10
I rather like to keep it simple...
In my understanding, He gave us the rules, to show us how we couldn't keep them on our own. I believe He was (has always been) about relationship, not rules...
I believe He took the rules written on stone, and wrote them on my heart -- and now, rather than me living them out, He lives in and through me, keeping the commandments as part of His life.
He simplified things for me... showing that all of the commandments really boil down to: loving God with everything in me, and loving others as myself.
And in another place, He said, "love one another" - and that was the sum total of the commandments.
I also see that as I remain in relationship with Him (being the branch, who clings to the Vine), He produces fruit in me... I don't have to make it happen... I can't, really... I can't push forth fruit.
I see that He created good works for me to do, way before I was around... good works that flow out of the relationship with Him, not things that I have to "come up with"... no checklist to follow, but to just respond to Him who is within me, as He prompts.
I see that rules can be a weapon used against each other -- where people judge one another for not "following" the rules as they've been taught to do. I see that rules can cause great harm... but that relationship is alive, and freeing.
Because I know He loves and accepts me, just as I am, I am free to respond in love to Him... I desire to respond to Him. I no longer feel the need to obey rules in order to earn His love or approval -- I already have them.
Because He loves me, I WANT to love Him back, and to love others out of the overflow of His love in me...!
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:814179
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20070227/msgs/817233.html