Simple Rules

If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, say it.
If it will tarnish someone’s reputation, keep it to yourself.
Every home has its own unique set of rules.  When I was growing up, my parents had certain rules or standards they wanted us to abide by. I’m sure your parents did too.  While the rules may have varied a bit,  from home to home, the reasons behind them were always for our well being.  Now that I’m a grown up I can say that, although it wasn’t the case then. It always seemed that there was one kid whose parents had few or no rules.  I envied them.  If said kid happened to come to my house, where they supposed to abide by our house rules?  Obviously, some short term, general behavior standards applied, but my parent’s authority was only applicable, long-term, to those living within our household, even if they cared about them.  In a bigger sense we can apply this same thinking to those who live outside God’s “household“. As a Christian, I am fully aware of what my father expects of me;  His rules, meant for me, his kid. Now suppose, similar to when I was a child,  I come in contact with a person whose lifestyle goes against my father’s rules?  Just like my earthly parent’s authority extended solely to me, so too does mine to Non-Christians. Even if I know that their behavior is harmful, both physically and spiritually,  authentic change will never take place by me judging anyone based on my Christian values/rules.  It’s not the way Jesus operated, and it’s certainly not the way we should.  Instead, ours lives should be so appealing that people will long to know more, and ultimately join the family of their own free will.  God draws people to himself by demonstrating  his love, never a critical spirit. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44