IT'S DEEPER & BROADER THAN FOLLOWING THE RULES

My life as a disciple of Jesus is not about just obeying the rules. It goes much deeper within and much broader without; deeper within because it goes to the heart of motivation, the why I do things; broader because it encompasses all of my life and everyone I come in contact with, not just my ‘Sunday best’ to those in ‘my group’.  This is where ordering my life towards God by following the example set forth by Jesus makes the difference between just being religious. The Pharisees and the rich young ruler were religious, but they lacked in comparison to Jesus.  They did all the “You have heards” but failed to heed the “but I say to yous”. 

The “but I say to yous” are the depth and breath of the Christian walk, the fulfillment of the laws beyond the accomplishment of obeying them.  It entails the not being angry, the keeping my eyes and mind clean, the going the extra mile, and it’s the loving my enemies that makes my obedience true and perfect before God.

The deeper and broader are often the quieter and less seen things.  They are more a part of the foundation of my growth rather then the blossoms and blooming of my acts. They tend to be unnoticed by others but are very visible to God who is the attender and rewarder of those secret acts. This is often difficult to my ego, who likes to be fed by the righteous acts I do.  “But your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18).

Once again it is following Jesus’ example that makes a difference. Those who follow Jesus must die to self and ego. They no longer try to be the best Christian ever, the most righteous, religious, or pious of them all. They simply die to self and let the Spirit of God live in them and produce fruit as an offering, a free offering, to those they encounter and to the deeds they do.