Dear Father,

Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians, says, “Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.” In ancient times, new converts were burdened about circumcision, and Paul, knowing that their motives were not rooted in repentance but in works of the flesh, questioned them.

In recent times, the conflict is no longer about circumcision, but there are still many rules we uphold, of perceived kingdom do’s and don’ts that are not truly geared toward Kingdom come. The problem does not lie in advocating for righteous traits, but in our manner, motives, and belief systems.

The danger of holding up rules is that we become focused on a system absorbed in self-righteous works, which diverts our minds from what really matters, and It can lead us to believe that anyone who does not live by the same standards as we do is on their way to hell. But is this what Jesus died for?

Jesus summed up the law in love. Yet we still struggle with these things because we have no idea how deep love goes. In loving You and our neighbors, there would be no condemnation, self-exaltation, or boasting. The message of love can convict the greatest sinner and accomplish the goal of the Kingdom. The simplest way to bring people into the Kingdom is to love them into it.