We seem to have them- does God?
We’re all aware of some “unwritten rule”- a dictum of some sort that supposedly most folks know and accept without the benefit of codification. These unwritten rules generally seem to be fairly logical to the average fellow and likewise usually expedient- if not altogether equitable. But they are still nonetheless unwritten. Have you ever wondered why such logical, expedient, and even equitable rules would remain unwritten? With all of their benefits and near universal acceptance why would they not be official law? Surely there must be a reason. And there is.
What then prevents these unwritten rules from becoming codified law? One thing primarily- they are unwritten precisely because as such they serve a purpose that written rules or laws cannot serve. You see written rules are steadfast, unalterable, and must be unilaterally applied. They must be, since they are codified, fairly and universally applied to everyone equally. Such is the very nature of recorded rules.
But unwritten rules can be applied whenever it seems proper or suitable to us (or whoever applies them) and conveniently set aside when deemed less suitable or convenient by simply saying, “Well, it’s not like its graven in stone or anything!” No, it isn’t graven in stone or even written on paper for just such an occasion. Precisely! That way, they do not always have to be universally and fairly applied. What other explanation can there be? Why else would such “good” precepts not be made legal law through ratification? Surely there cannot be any other good reason to exclude them.
What has all of this to do with anything spiritual? Just this: God does treat all equally and fairly. Salvation is equally and fairly offered to everyone:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone...” Romans 1:16
“...God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent”Acts 17:30
“and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations...” Luke 24:47
You see God’s laws are intended to be fairly and universally applied to all people everywhere. Therefore they are codified. The rules are the same for everyone. All who believe and obey can be saved- without exception or partiality. Therefore God neither has, needs, nor utilizes any unwritten rules. His is laws instead are clearly and distinctly set forth for all to discern:
“that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,” Ephesians 3:3-4
“but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31
God doesn’t need or use unwritten rules in Christianity. The things we must do to be pleasing to Him are clearly set forth in the New Testament. Therefore we should learn “not to exceed what is written in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other”! (1Corinthians 4:6) Neither secret unwritten rules nor societies of men who profess to know and keep them– it’s all there plainly written in your New Testament for you to read, understand, obey, and live. Simple, huh?