“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”1
Some time ago a friend sent me a report about some 600 lawyer hopefuls who were taking the California state bar exam when an older student had a heart attack. Two of the students stopped to help him but, as the story went, were not allowed any additional time to finish the exam. Unfortunately, I’m red faced, in that part of the story was true and part of it was a hoax and very misleading. So I am deleting the story and apologize for my error.
The point I was trying to make was the devastating effects of legalism which is still very much alive and well in many circles today in both secular and religious institutions. Legalists are basically insecure people who use rules and regulations to control others and to keep themselves feeling safe. It is of course a fasle security.
Jesus ripped apart the legalistic religious Pharisees of his day who loved their stupid man-made rules more than they loved people. No wonder Jesus blasted them. And how like Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. A fellow Jew had been robbed and beaten and left by the side of the road in great pain and distress. When a priest came by and saw him, he passed by on the other side of the street. Another religious leader did exactly the same thing. But a man the Jews despised, a Samaritan, “took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.”2
Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please delive me from the curse of legalism and help me to be like the Good Samaritan. Because of all you have done for me, give me a compassionate heart for others who, like me, are also in need. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
1. James 1:27.
2. See Luke 10:30-37.
<:))))<><