Whose Rules?

Thanks, AnswersInGenesis.org!

In my lifetime alone, there have been a large number of people who were (and are) determined to live by their own rules without regard to anything else. We call most of them dictators – Hitler’s name was the first I heard as a child, but other continued to rise and fall after he made his impact on this world. They are like the fish on the left, “Apparently, I have different rules.”

I heard someone being witnessed to by a Christian respond, “Oh, I believe there is a god. Mine is just different from yours.” When asked about their doctrine, there wasn’t an answer. The person was agnostic – there may be a god, but we don’t know anything about it. No books, no words, no suggestions – every one just does what they know to be right. So far, that hasn’t worked out very well in human history, and specifically failed in biblical history.

Moses promised there would come a time when there were instructions on what to do when it came to a place to worship:

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8 KJV)

When they were in the place God wanted them to be:

Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: (Deuteronomy 12:11 KJV)

God provided rules to live by. Israel often failed to follow those rules. Twice we’re told:

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

Seven times in Judges alone we’re told:

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, (Judges 2:11a KJV)

The biblical list of kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord is a bit long. What do you think that list would look like today? How do we know what they did was evil? They broke specific rules laid out by the Lord God they worshipped. Guess that hasn’t changed much either.

So – whose rules rules do you prefer? Ones set by society that changes with the whims of the most impressive speech makers? Ones that allow every man to do that which is right in their own eyes – then find a man who is willing not only to slaughter a close family member, but his wife and children? That’s not confined to ancient history, is it?

I believe the rules laid out in God’s word offer the best for my life. The people who know me understand that I have chosen this as my standard. When I deviate from this standard, they also know I am subject to questioning and correction. Those are the rules I prefer. Actually, those are the rules on which my country was established, though many deny that today.

Let me know your preference. Whose rules are followed in your life?

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15 KJV)