Monday Cross Training | Rules…Who Needs Rules?

4 x 6 Plan | Read: Matthew 23:1-36 & Ephesians 5:1-10

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

Are you a rule follower or rule breaker?  My family covers it all.  Some of us (I won’t mention names) struggle to break even the simplest or dumbest of rules, others seem to think rules are only for others.  

In Matthew 23:1-36, Jesus confronts the religious leaders who were more concerned about meticulously following the rules than truly understanding the heart of God. He exposes their hypocrisy and teaches us an important lesson about the power of grace over legalistic rule-keeping. Often, we find ourselves trapped in the mindset of either being rule breakers or rule followers. We may feel guilty for not measuring up to the standards set by society or even our own expectations. However, Jesus offers us a different path—a path of grace.

Jesus didn’t come to bury those who break the rules or to glorify those who meticulously follow them. Instead, He came to bring grace, forgiveness, and a new way of living. His grace is not a license to sin, but a transformative power that enables us to live in alignment with God’s will.

When we grasp the depth of God’s grace, we realize that it surpasses our ability to keep every rule perfectly. It is not about following a checklist of external regulations, but about surrendering our hearts to Jesus and allowing His grace to permeate every aspect of our lives. In the light of God’s grace, we discover that rule-keeping alone cannot save us. Instead, it is through faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross that we find true freedom. Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf, inviting us into a relationship with Him where grace abounds.

Let us embrace the grace of Jesus and let go of the burden of legalism. As we do, we will experience a freedom that liberates us from the pressure to be perfect rule followers. We are called to walk in the grace that empowers us to love God and love others with authenticity and compassion.

Action Steps 

Bible: What is God showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.