Day 26. Don't add rules.

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

     As fallen human beings we tend to take sides with people we know for no good reason. We give people "pardons" because of what they can do for us or refuse to pardon them because of what they've done to us. This type of partiality is wicked behavior. We tend to judge people without all the facts in mind. We tend to excuse ourselves and accuse others of wrong. The bottom line is that while everyone has some idea of what is right and wrong, human beings are unjust judges. However, God is a perfectly just judge. That is why we can rely on His word for wisdom in deciding matters of right and wrong. He condemned His own Son, so that he could justly pardon us after all (2 Cor 5:21).
     Have you ever babysat a child and found yourself tempted to make extra rules to force them to do your will? Well now you have to eat as many carrots as you are old. Or, you can only have 1 cookie, because your mommy doesn't want you to eat junk food. We can establish rules upon rules in no time at all. Rules can be important, however as we mature and grow, we often times impose our rules on others. We should never attempt to regulate people into obeying God. That can only happen because they are born again and have a desire to obey. Ultimately it is the rule of God's word, specificially the words and teaching of Christ that are to guide our lives, not our rules. We must remember to be more focused on Jesus's words for us than our rules that we think others should follow.
     Don't add rules to God's word, but follow the teaching of scripture. Legalists add rules to obey. We should love to obey rules that are already there. As Christians we are justified because "Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). And though we were condemned, God is justified in forgiving us. Don't judge and pardon others because of their behavior, point them to Jesus, the one who can pardon them in spite of their behavior, make them new, and save them eternally.
 
Matthew 18:21-35