The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.   Acts 21:30

Paul was getting a reputation.  He was touring and encouraging the churches, teaching ,and making connections.  The church was growing and being firmly established.  One problem: he was challenging the law. That frosted some people.  He lived out what Jesus had taught when Jesus said that it was not about following the law, it was about following God (Mark 2:28).

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see people uptight at the “laws” of Christianity.   being challenged.  I’m all about following Christ to the point that keeping the rules.  Following the guidelines are a natural part of life.  However, when that is all it is about, something is wrong.  Terribly wrong.  It is easy to fall in the trap of going through the motions of Christianity, (go to church, say prayers, treat others well), and fall out of love with the creator.

God, I desire you.  Help me see when I am loving the rules and traditions more than you.  I desire to make your name great.  Not to finish the race while elevating every tradition and rule, and thus make the rules famous.

[tags]devotions, Bible, Acts, rules, law, God[/tags]