I think we could agree that most of us have a basic set of rules we live by. We are not always able to articulate those rules, but the rules exist nevertheless. Some of the rules are very good, but others are dumbness gems. Let me give you a random example of each one. Good rule: I need to treat my wife with dignity and respect. This is not in the Bible like that, but it is a good rule. Bad Rule: If my child makes a mistake and ends up in jail, I will leave him there until he learns his lesson. In my personal case, if one of my children makes a mistake and ends up in jail I will get him out and teach him the lesson he needs to learn at home, and not in a criminal infested dungeon.
I have two basic rules for living in my relationship with God. I filter my Bible interpretation, my preaching, my writing, my counseling, etc. through these two rules. Rule number one is: God is good. Nothing that happens in the world is done by God with malice. He cannot have impure motives. He cannot intent to harm us spiritually. God allows bad things to happen to us in the physical realm because He wants to protect us in the spiritual realm. But God cannot even conceive to do us spiritual, eternal harm. That’s rule number one. Rule number two is: Whatever God says I have to do, I will do. Since I know the Scriptures, I know He can never tell me to do something that runs counter to His expressed revealed will and purpose in Scripture. Therefore, when I hear something that matches God’s revealed character, I will do it. I do not have to feel good about it. I just have to believe that it is in accordance to God’s good motives, character, and intentions. The Bible says that, “obedience is better than sacrifice.” That’s rule number two.