Break the Rules!

"Make your own set of rules."

"Dare to defy the rules."

"You need to break the rules a little. Live!"

Often, the advice seems to be anarchist. We're told that in order to really be artistic, live life to the fullest, and even be successful it's good to break the rules. (Which rules aren't specified.) And, society is buying it. Throw out the old. Bring on the new. No matter what's expected, do something different. Reward the rule-breaker.

Is this what a Christian should heed? Yes, and no.

We'll start with "no." God made rules for our protection. The Ten Commandments and other instructions found in both Old and New Testaments are for our good. Following His rules demonstrates our love and respect.

• Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever (Deuteronomy 4:40).
• And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself (1 Kings 2:3).
• The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure (Psalm 111:7).
• Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments (Psalm 112:1).
• Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth (Psalm 119:151).
• Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).
• He also said, If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love (John 15:10).
• And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:3-4).
• For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3).

"Yes." We should break the rules when they go against God's will. Look at these examples:

• And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard (Acts 4:18-20).
• Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:28-29).

God teaches us to obey our government.

• Nobody likes taxes, but Jesus taught us to pay them. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee (Matthew 17:24-27).
• Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? … Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's (Matthew 22:17, 19-21).
• Here's some more about the government—and taxes. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour (Romans 13:1-7).

Some of God's rules are for the family. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-25, 28, 33; 6:1-4).

Yes, there are rules, but it's also okay to be creative. The great King Solomon once said there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Even so, in the Bible we see all kinds of creative people, musicians, naturalists, writers, orators, and innovators. God applauds and uses people's talents for His glory. Think of the many builders and artisans who worked on the Tabernacle and the Temple, for instance. These buildings had many artistic details and much elegant handiwork--besides the math and geometry necessary to make the stones fit perfectly. Remember King David's harp performances and his orchestra and choir for the praise of God? Moses said in Psalm 90:17, And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. There's a new song that redeemed people sing. We find it in both Old and New Testaments. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee (Psalm 144:9). Stone, iron, silver, gold, and brass workers dedicated their craftsmanship to the Lord.

Our own rules need to be in tune with God's. Our lives should happily submit to the Lord's guidelines. But, there's nothing wrong with creativity and innovation. Use your talents in the right way: for the glory of God.