Notice that all
healthy relationships function within a mutually agreed upon set of standards
and rules sometimes known as boundaries.
This is also true of one’s relationship with God. These standards and rules are known as God’s ways
and are found in the Bible.
Viewed in terms
of human relationships, if boundaries are missing or unclear, there is at best
a dysfunctional and chaotic relationship.
As well, if there is not agreement as to where boundaries exist, then most
often there is no relationship.
Now have a
look at man’s relationship with God.
Maybe you’ve noticed that some make statements that are based upon man’s
view not God’s. Such are little more
than a designer approach to some sort of god.
Such is the, “My god would never…” statement. The simple question is this. Can such a view, that often rejects God’s
ways, allow for a relationship to exist?
This view
questions whether a relationship with God functions within mutually agreed upon
sets of standards and rules? When it does not, one can conclude that at best it is a dysfunctional and even
destructive relationship as man seeks to fashion a god according to his own
“good’ ideas.
The Bible
lays out very clearly the standards and rules necessary for relationship with
God. Therefore, the choice is up to the
one who would be in relationship with God.
Such a person can choose to accept God’s ways as set forth or reject
them. Such a person by making choices can
choose to be in relationship with God or not.
Remember that
God invests each individual with the power to choose to accept Him and His
ways. Also one can choose to reject
God’s ways and in doing so reject Him.
The outcomes of such choices are beyond man’s capacity to control.
Think about it this way. Should one expect to enjoy the
guidance, protection, comfort, and care of the very One whom they have rejected. Yet, the very one rejected calls for all who find themselves in need of these very things to, "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavily laden and I will give you rest."
