Ordnung vs Love for God, By BR

By Paul Miller

November 1, 2020

Just a few lines to thank you for this publication. I enjoyed it very much! I hope to be kept on your mailing list. 25 years ago my dad said he feels our Amish people are losing what our forefathers believed. To live for God and not just follow the Amish ordnung, but to realize it’s a separate thing. Our ordnung, I feel, is very necessary, but our Love for God and accepting Jesus as our Saviour is what will let us see heaven. Your magazine is very well written, and I feel very needed.

Sincerely, BR

Thank you for your kind words, BR.

We are glad that you enjoy the Amish Voice. You are quite right—living for God begins in the heart. It certainly is not wrong to make a list of guidelines to help keep us disciplined and on the right path in following Jesus, but when we begin to think that we are good people and are on the way to heaven because we follow a list of rules, then we know we have left the narrow path that leads to heaven.

The apostle Paul was incredibly good at following his religious list of rules, but God opened his eyes and he saw the truth that outward obedience to manmade rules has nothing at all to do with holiness or pleasing God. Rather, Paul learned that we do not get to heaven by following rules or being religious, but by realizing that we are guilty, condemned sinners who can do nothing to make ourselves clean—so must trust completely in Jesus Christ alone and His righteousness. Then, once our hearts are made new, we will love and serve and obey Him gladly and tell others of His truth and love.

Keep following Jesus and loving God and others!

— Paul Miller