Legalism shrinks the heart, but surrender to God’s Word enlarges it with love for Him and others.
Why don’t we have a bigger heart for God? Could it be that as Christians we sometimes push people away by clinging to rules that God never gave?
Many churches claim to welcome everyone, yet build walls of legalism with rules that don’t come from Scripture. Ironically, the communities that most faithfully follow the Bible often end up being the most open, gracious, and welcoming—because God’s Word, rightly lived out, overflows with love.
When Rules Replace Surrender
We lose heart for God when we substitute human rules for God’s truth. Jesus didn’t call us to control others; He called us to trust Him and to let His Spirit transform us.
I have to admit, I’m guilty of this too. I sometimes make my own rules, forgetting what the Bible actually says. When I focus on God’s Word instead of my own ideas, both I and those around me are better off.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit works through us when we surrender our will and let Him guide our actions. But too often, I find myself thinking through solutions in my own head rather than seeking God first. Without prayerful surrender, even well-intended actions can harm.
Today, I feel that tension. I know of an issue I need to address, and I’m tempted to handle it my way—kindly, firmly, but without prayer. That isn’t a bigger heart for God. True love requires submitting to His will before I take any step.
A Call to Realignment
If we want to be true followers of Christ, we need bigger hearts for God. That means obeying His Word rather than inventing our own rules. It means letting go of legalism, relying on the Spirit, and trusting Him to use us as His vessels of love.
So let me ask: Will you follow God’s Word—or your own rules?