During this pandemic rules are proliferating. It seems that every governing body has a set of rules. I am really confused. Whose rules have the ultimate authority and how do I know which rules to comply with in each environment I find myself?
Religion can be the same way. Each congregation and association can come up with rules its adherants must obey. Often there is the same types of confusion about what rules apply when. How does a person keep them straight?
Fortunately Jesus brought a better way to faith. He admonished the religious establishment for their focus on outward adherence to rules. Instead, Jesus was concerned about one’s heart and character. In Matthew 12 Jesus told these leaders that you cannot produce good fruit, or righteousness, from a bad heart. The heart must be good in order to do good works. In verse 7 Jesus says, “And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the righteous.” Let Jesus change your heart, then you will be able to do good works in righteousness.
Reluctant Retiree 