The First Rule of Religion
The first rule of religion is so simple that even a child can understand it, but it is exceedingly difficult to learn. You cannot have a relationship with God without first bowing to this simple rule – and you will spend much of your Christian life trying to apply it. This simple rule is,
“God is God and I am not.”
The quote may be attributed to Steven Curtis Chapman, but the principle itself is foundational to all religion. Its applications are endless:
God is God. He gets to set the rules. You do not.
God is God. He gets to do what he wants. You do not.
God is God. He commands. You do not.
God is God. He is in control of your life. You are not.
God is God. He knows what is best. You do not.
God is God. He is unaccountable. You are not.
This list could go on, but you get the point. It’s not hard. It’s certainly not rocket science. But it challenges and checks us in every stage of life.
Every time that we think things should be a certain way – God says the way they actually are. Every time when we think ‘that’s not fair’ – God does not give account to us. Every time when we want to live our life ‘our way’ – God is still the lawgiver. When we don’t want to acknowledge His authority over us or ability to direct us – God is still the sovereign God. Everything is his prerogative.
You can play God, but you can’t be God.
And God doesn’t look kindly on those who ‘play God.’
Previous generations of Christians often spoke of ‘resignation’ or ‘submission’ as a significant part of salvation. They understood that when a person cheerful and joyful (rather than grudgingly) acknowledges God’s authority and sovereignty, that person has gone from being an enemy of God (one who hates God’s purposes) to be a servant and a child (one who delights in God’s purposes).
It’s an incredibly humbling reality. This simple truth – that you aren’t God – is enough to cause you to endure trials patiently, obey diligently, pray fervently, and trust wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, we naturally buck against it, because it magnifies God and downplays man. It puts us in our proper position as unworthy sinners in the presence of the sovereign God. It means that every favor is a gift of unfathomable grace to undeserving wretches.
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