Why Should I Believe in the Bible?

Sometimes the Bible seems to be full of rules, don’t do this, don’t do that.

A few examples from the Ten Commandments:  You shall not murder.  You shall not commit adultery.  You shall not steal.  You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.  You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

Galatians 5:19-21  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

Those rules actually are meant to help keep people from harm, live with less problems, and even live more fulfilling lives.  Sins have consequences, and often cause problems in life.

The rules in the Bible at times seem to be restricting, but Christians will say that they are actually freeing.  If there were no speed limits on the highways, some people would consider that freedom, but others would realize that speed limits protect drivers from being hurt or killed.

Christians say that living according to God’s plan helps you to become the person that you were meant to be.  If you live within God’s ‘safety rules’, you actually have less to worry about.  You can have more peace of mind, greater sense of purpose, and boldness to face the world.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline.

Getting hung up in following rules can cause people to miss the point – that following God’s rules can actually provide freedom.

Next: Rules Don’t Save