Daily Devotional for October 4, 2016

Matthew 15:1-9
After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”

But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
    but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
    but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
    for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Jesus’ quote of Isaiah’s prophecy really says it all.  Too many of us are using our Christian faith as a cover for teaching, saying and doing whatever suits our fancy.  We claim to know and love Jesus…that we strive to serve Him daily.  But our feet barely hit the floor in the morning before we are judging and criticizing others.

We may smile at those we encounter in public and “play nice.” But behind somewhat gritted teeth, we are labeling them based on their race, ethnic background, socio-economic level, sexual orientation, political affiliation…weight, height, hair color…their church denomination – or even their apparent lack of association with a particular church.

We make snap judgments – often based on appearances, one or two comments, or a brief encounter.  Worse yet, we form opinions based on gossip from another “Christian” friend.  We make up our minds almost instantly about how we feel toward a particular person or situation. And then we adjust the cross around our neck and get in our car with the bumper sticker that says, “Honk if you love Jesus” - and we move on with our day.

Many of us seem to have no problem criticizing and discriminating against certain people or groups while claiming to serve a Savior who commanded us to “Love others as well as you love yourself.”  We say we serve a God who sent His Son to save the whole world and all who inhabit it…and then we act as if Jesus came exclusively for a hand-picked few (that includes us, of course!).  This needs to stop!

Some of us are so busy twisting the “rules” to suit our own agendas that our “version” of Christian faith in no way reflects what Jesus commanded.  And yet, we claim we are His servants and desire to do the will of God in all things.  It’s time to realize that our efforts to manipulate God’s commands to fit our desires not only look ridiculous – they break His heart.

Being authentic in our faith and discipleship takes work – and a lot of conscious effort.  But we can do better – and we must.  Are you ready to “play by God’s rules?”  Isn’t it time you were?
  
©2016 Debbie Robus