As Christians, we often get caught up in rules, guidelines, and programs intended to keep us focused on the Lord and living for Him, but what does the Lord really want from us?
All of the precepts, commands, and guidelines from the Lord are designed to create and maintain relationship with Him. The Bible tells us that when God created man, man and woman were made in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). Adam's sin marred God's image and created a breach in the relationship between God and man. Since all men are sinners through Adam's sin, it affected all of humanity's relationship with the Lord (Romans 5:12).
Man had no power to deliver himself and rise above his sin nature. God enacted His plan which He had made before He created the world (1 Peter 1:18-20). The Lord Himself came into the world to be a sacrifice for our sins and deliver us from sin (Hebrews 9:14, 10:14). The Lord became a living example of what He intends for man, and He also sent His Spirit to give us power to rise above ourselves and sin. (John 14:18).
The Lord wants us to be like Himself (Romans 8:29). The Lord wants to live in us through the baptism of the Holy Ghost so that we can have continual fellowship with Him (1 Corinthians 3:16, Colossians 1:27).
The Lord's plan of salvation is designed to restore man to the original image of God in which he was created so that fellowship with God can be restored. Let us focus on our relationships with the Lord and remember that all the commands and guidelines are there to maintain our relationships with the Lord Jesus.
