Which Are You? (And Does It Really Matter?!)

Nehemiah 10:30-39

How did you feel about rules growing up? How do you feel about rules now? For the most part, I have always been a rule follower. I like to know my boundaries, and I find comfort in obedience. On the other hand, I know several people who are definitely rule breakers! I think they find adventure in crossing the line, and feel constricted by rules. 

Regulations and commands can be found all over the Old Testament. In fact, there are 613 commands in the Old Testament, from God to His people. That's a lot of rules to follow, and that's a lot of boundaries. But to live strictly by obedience to God's commands, would be to fall into a work righteousness way of life. God set hundreds of boundaries for His Old Testament children. He had reason behind it. Nevertheless, they weren't counted righteous in God's eyes by their obedience, but rather by their faith. Romans 4:13-16a beautifully states:

"It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham."

So whether you're a rule follower, or a rule breaker, you can be sure that no level of obedience will measure up to God's standard. He demands perfection, and won't grant eternal life to anyone who can't meet the requirement. But thanks be to Jesus Christ, who came to Earth as a human, lived the perfect life that we couldn't, suffered and died an innocent death, and three days later defeated death and the devil! When we confess Jesus as Lord, we are covered by His blood. No matter what you've done, no matter where you've been, no matter how many times you mess it up, there is grace. By His wounds, we are healed.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.