Introduction
Below you will find a basic rule of life. Every such rule needs to be placed in the context of justification and sanctification. Luther tried and failed to please God by keeping the monastic rules. Rules do not justify or save us, but they can help us to receive the love of God. Christ did not come to abolish the law with its rules and regulations, but to fulfill it. The same holds here. The rule helps us come to Christ and that is to the good.
The life of God is made present and active in the Christian life in three forms, the Word, the sacraments, and ministry. Many traditions emphasize one or two of these forms of grace but not all. For example, many Christians leave out the catholic discipline of being accountable to someone. Many leave out the importance of receiving laying on of hands for exorcism and healing. Many emphasize the sacraments but ignore the Word. All three forms are important if we wish to receive the fullness of God's grace.
These rules apply to all Christians, but it is especially tragic when Christian leaders do not fully seek God's grace and thereby fall into sin. For example, many Christian leaders do not follow rule three given below. They harbor secret sins, and as a result, these sins eventually overtake them and ruin their ministry. Many do not obey rule nine. They put their church work above their families. For that reason, divorce is common among pastors, and many pastors have poor relationships with their children. As children grow up, they become responsible for themselves, and sometimes children from devoted and loving families turn away from God, hurt themselves, and bring shame upon their parents. At the same time, there are many children who have not been loved by their Christian parents, and this provides a opening for the devil to enter their lives and lead them astray. Very few Christians, from what I can tell, follow rule six and have a received a thorough exorcism. Part of the problem here is that there are so few competent, stable, and experienced exorcists in the church.
Generally speaking, rules of life specify behavior, things we are determined to do. We are soldiers of Christ, and as soldiers, we need to stay fit and remain under discipline. We are also running a race and must remain in training if we expect to receive the prize. Here is what St. Paul says on the matter.
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV).Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1Corinthisans 9:24-25 NIV).
Rules vary from person to person. You will need to make this rule your own, discerning what aspects will work for you and how to put it into practice. A general approach is to make your spiritual disciplines demanding enough to require some effort, but not so unrealistic and difficult that you will be discouraged through repeated failure. In the end, it is God who oversees our spiritual welfare, but he does expect us to reach out to him. Therefore, please consider the following rules and apply them to your personality and circumstances. Personally, I think all the points of the rule given below are important. These points states what needs to happen, but not how to go about it. For example, some prayer and study is important each day, but the rule does not say how much prayer and study to do. Pray and think about that. If you have never prayed and studied each day, start out with a small amount, say twenty minutes a day, at a time when you are at your best, and go from there. Do not start by committing yourself to an hour. That probably will not work and you will get discouraged and feel guilty. Or, in terms of accountability, rule three, talking to someone you trust is good, but who and how often depends upon who you are and your circumstances. It is good to take baby steps before trying to run. More could be said, but I suggest you pray about how to put these rules into effect, committing yourself to keeping each rule, specifying specific times, frequencies, and actions, that put the rule into effect.
A Rule of Life
1. Regular worship and fellowship including the ministry of the Word and the Holy Communion.
2. Prayer, study of God’s Word, and silence each day to discern God's will and then do it. Keep a journal. Pray daily with those you live with.
3. Be accountable for living the Christian life to at least one person and make a full and complete confession at least once a year. Hide nothing. The form in St. Augustine’s Prayer Book is most helpful.
4. Tithe on income.
5. Immediately forgive when wronged and ask forgiveness for wrongs committed.
6. Make a life review from time to time, asking God to reveal his call, your strengths, and your sins in every area of life, and receive the laying on of hands for healing and deliverance.
7. If you have the resources, eat healthy, get adequate rest, and exercise on a regular basis.
8. Keep the Sabbath rest at least one day per week, resting and doing things that you enjoy.
9. Keep priorities straight, persons come before success. Take care of those God has entrusted to your care such as spouse, children, and parents.
10. Do your work well. If you are an employer, pay a living wage and treat your employees fairly. Live moderately.
11. Support the work of the church, its programs and leaders. Develop a ministry for the sake of the Kingdom in the church and/or in the world. If you are a leader, care for the sheep with the love of Christ.
The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
February, 2012
