I'm a little overwhelmed here.... =/

What does Jesus say to his disciples to do and not to do?

I've thought a lot lately about what his command to follow him really should look like for me. One would reason we can follow Jesus' instructions to work toward being a disciple of Christ's. Jesus said his burden is easy and his yoke is light. I must be honest: Jesus' commands are freeing...don't worry...love the Lord your God...love others (neighbors, enemies, everyone)...reconcile with your brother...let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'...Jesus is a simple way. A loving way. A way that promotes the kingdom of heaven. BUT (here's where that honesty comes in) I am struggling when I read all the rules in place after him that come from our brothers and sisters. Even those included in the Bible. In recognizing this struggle, I've been searching myself, trying to figure out what this thought process is routed in. So, if you will allow me such expressions of searching...

Paul was an excellent church planter and motivator to his flocks. It is well recognized that Paul wrote to many different churches in his letters, each of which were located in different regions, experiencing varying economical, political, religious and social backdrops. It would stand to reason that his teachings to each church would be directed to the spiritual betterment of each individual church. Those churches didn't chase down each other's letters to compare instructions, did they? Employees give separate tasks to develop different employees, based on the skills they can grow in. Church leaders appoint different individuals to different tasks, based on their preference and skills. A shy person who is very responsible may be a treasurer, while an outgoing individual who enjoys socializing may be a greater...both can grow better in their task by receiving separate instructions, both applicable to the person and task, both to better the servant, but separate instructions. 

Not only do we have Paul's letters, we have letters from Peter, John, lots of instruction to lots of different people. I think you see where I'm going with this. I am overwhelmed. Paul tells women to be silent in a church that has some very disrespectfully vocal women, so females are to remain silent always, never telling the gentlemen anything? Why on earth did the angel in the tomb tell Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them to go tell the guys what they saw? Why didn't he tell them to go get some men so the boys could start teaching each other? Maybe because the women were in a position God wanted to use them in to receive his due glory. Maybe because they were different instructions in different situations to different people. 

Overwhelmed. And I truly believe it's because those instructions are not for me. The basis of all of Paul's instructions have great, deep, core-cementing connections to Jesus' teachings and the truths Paul received by the Holy Spirit. His letters are a record for us to see Paul putting into action his understanding of what he was taught. By God. Paul is very adamant that he was revealed such things by God, not man, and Paul takes a great ownership in learning and understanding what he was taught. Maybe that's why his instructions don't ring as sound to me. I was taught them by man. Now, Jesus. Jesus teaches me truths on love. Jesus reveals to me that when he reveals to me truths of the kingdom, I can follow those truths and build my life around those instructions. And my life may not be Paul's life, but it shouldn't be. It should be the life Jesus wants me to live so God can receive glory. I can follow Jesus' teaching and become a follower of Christ because I want to become a follower of Christ. I can't follow Paul's teachings in Corinthians and become a member of the church of Corinth. 

So, do I reject all of Paul's teachings? No way! We can gain great insight and wisdom by all others practicing their faith. To reject any teachings on such a basis would only be giving in to a spirit of rebellion. Can I have a real, earth shattering faith without mirroring the church of Ephesus? Yes. Can I grow by seeing their instruction and encouragements? Yes! Can I pick and choose through the Bible and only follow the instructions I think are easiest for me under the rouge that they are the most "applicable?" Well where's the benefit in that??? Can I focus so intensely on the love Jesus tells me to practice everyday that I forget the need for 'rules' because my focus is to show the love of God to a world desperately in need of the Truth? I think so...

After all...it seems like when I'm not focused on doing good I begin to see where I can push the envelope a little farther on other things. It is in complacency we seek out controversy.