a meditation/regurgitation

Yesterday's sermon, on Revelation 22:6-19, was really good. There were 4 points - four things that "overcomers" do - but the one that stood out to me the most was that overcomers obey. Within his discussion of that point, Rev Kev hit on the fact that rules alone are not enough, but then neither is a personal relationship: we need both. For example, banking on a personal relationship is not enough when a husband cheats on his wife and then pleads, "But I know you so well!" Or if a cop pulled me over for driving drunk and speeding and I said, "But I love you!" How ridiculous. But then, how much more ridiculous some of my prayers must appear to an eternal and wise God.

Rules make relationships healthy. In marriage, one rule is that we be faithful; traffic laws serve equal purposes (even though we are all above-average drivers).

But rules don't make relationships. You could follow every written and unwritten rule in marriage without ever developing a deep and meaningful relationship. You could never drive one mile over any posted speed limit your whole life but never feel a passion for the government who instated the laws, or know any cop by name.

Rev Kev said it better. But maybe the gist of his message will strike someone else like it struck me. We don't know when Christ is returning, and can't bank on just rules or just a relationship to get us by "for now" - because he'll come like a thief in the night. Having only obedience, without a relationship, or a relationship with Christ, sans obedience - I'm not saying that I, of all people, know whether either of these conditions would exempt us from spending eternity in heaven. But why forgo the blessings to be had in seeking both?