Hold On To Them

I was brought up in a Christian family. Every Sunday, I was taught to wake up early, read my Bible, and get dressed for church. My mum would hand me a few dollars before offering time, teaching me the value in giving. I was taught to always pray (or to say grace) and thank the Lord before I partake every meal because every meal that is placed in front of me is from the Lord. My parents would discipline me for every lie I told because I was told that lying is wrong and God dislike people who lie. At that time, I always thought to myself that this Christian life is all about rules and regulations.

Looking back now, although I did not agree to the way they discipline me, I realized that those values and lessons that I learnt as a child was the foundation of my walk with God. I’m beginning to think this Christian journey is more of a joy and a wild adventure, rather than a set of rules and regulation that we have to adhere to.

In Exodus, God gave the Israelites 10 commandments that they are to obey and follow. The more I think and ponder upon the need and significance of the 10 commandments, the more I begin to realized that God did not gave us those rules and regulations to control us, but rather to protect us from drifting away from Him.

In short, the commandments (or any rules that God gives in the Bible) are not there so that God can control you like a referee, but to protect you from danger because He knows how easily we can wander away from Him (if we are not careful).

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5v1-4

-Josh