There is always the danger of writing rules for God. As an example, the Pharisees had all sorts of extraneous interpretations which could be interpreted as adding rules for God. We need to understand that in religion there is one LAWGIVER and it is God who writes the rules and His rules are found in His Word. James 4: 12 says: “There is one Lawgiver and Judge.” Guy Wood wrote: “It is a remarkable fact that God has always looked with greater severity upon those who presume to make laws for Him than upon those who break the laws which He made. The latter may result from weakness, ignorance and downright stupidity; the former is officious presumption of the most highhanded nature.” The Epistle of James p 240.

 

No body of men or church, however powerful, has the right to pass laws on what pleases or displeases God, and what He demands of us and bind them as obligations on others. It is to be understood that we cannot write rules for God, because He has already spoken. Hebrews 1: 1-2 says: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in the past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” Thus, we have no right or authority to judge anyone by our words and rules because the Lord’s words will judge us all in the last Day (Jn. 12: 48).

 

No one has the right or authority to write a book of rules, and judge men and women thereby, because God already has a book. Revelations 20: 12 says: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Thus, the only binding rules or authority we have, in religion originated with the Lord, who has all authority both in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28: 18). Colossians 3: 17 says: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Therefore, whatever we teach, and whatever we practice, must be by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

 

Therefore, we all need to be very concerned with writing rules for God. In a world of religious bodies, each with their human creeds and tests for loyalty, the Lord’s church acknowledges no document as authoritative in religious matters, but God’s Book. It is all that is needed because it is complete and will make man complete (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). In matters where God has given us liberty, we must allow others to have the same liberty. We must refrain from binding our rules, opinions, and judgments upon others. To follow and obey God’s rules (Word) is a way that is right and cannot be wrong. Think on these things. 

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 Dennis Abernathy