I spent the day driving to and from Lafayette, IN (Purdue University…or as his mom will say, “Purdon’t. She went to Indiana State so there is just a touch of friendly rivalry there. Just a touch). All in all it was a pleasant day. The wicked storm which looked to be brewing north of us, which caused me to stop and try to tarp the items in my truck, largely bypassed us. The rain held off as we unloaded. Purdue students did all the unloading and transporting the luggage to his room. The lunchtime pizza was excellent. Anthony’s girlfriend, Mallory, was a good sport and fun to have along (she heads to IU tonight). The drive home was uneventful except for a slow down of traffic due to a detour because of an Interstate bridge being worked on. I am now sufficiently tired and find myself wishing I could lay down but since it is only 5:10 p.m. that would not be a good idea. 🙂
That means my brain is not firing on all cylinders at the moment. But I had a thought from Unoffendable I wanted to share. So I’m going to post it and let your minds give it some thought:
Rules are wonderful. Rules bring wisdom into our lives. They help us live better. They spare us from pain. BUT rules don’t change anyone’s heart, ever. Grace does. (p.167)
That saying alone is worth the price of admission to this book. If people (legalists) could only grasp that truth, maybe they would stop trying to force rules on people. Imagine the impact if churches and pastors and people grasped the real truth behind Brant’s statement.
Rules don’t change people. Grace does. No argument here. Any thoughts?
Simple, yet profound.
That it is.
That’s one reason why we shouldn’t try to legislate our morality. We would have a bigger impact if we love people.
Absolutely correct Larry. Trying to do that only leads to more and more rules.
Rules certainly have a purpose. I don’t think they are intended to change anyone. Grace is a theory I hope I don’t get because I don’t care to change. Do Muslims and Jews get Grace? Does it change them?
Grace is offered to them as it is offered to all (including you). Whether they choose to receive it or not makes the difference.
I guess the Jews and Muslims are like me and choose not to recognize it.
Sadly
I know His grace changed my heart many years ago, Bill. Blessings!
As it did mine.
Yeah, that’s wonderfully and succinctly stated. I think that’s the misconception legalists have about people who advocate grace. We’re not anti-rules, but externally applied, rules don’t ultimately produce the desired results. When God writes His word on our hearts, it’s a completely different story–a story of grace. Thanks Bill.
Well said Jason. Externally applied rules don’t ultimately change anything. Only when we allow God’s Word to be written on our hearts can we be changed.
Rules without relationship lead to rebellion. Seek relationship, not religion. “And that’s all I have to say about that.”
And that is all that needs to be said. 🙂 Thanks Kari. Spot on.
I’d say you and I are in step this week, my friend…