Opposite Sides

Today's readings were most striking in their opposing viewpoints. On one hand, the OT readings in Leviticus were mainly about how to treat one's body relative to sex, sexually transmitted disease, or menstruation. We also learned about Aaron's requirements prior to visiting the Most Holy Place. In short, it was a significant list of rules concerning appropriateness of behavior. But, at the end, it was rules.

Jesus' NT command, in Mark 7:14-23, was a reminder that evil is inside the heart, and evil is not related to what we eat, but how we speak and act. In short, reliance on rules does not cleanse one's heart. I have touched on the way this speaks to legalism in earlier posts, but it is interesting to see these somewhat opposing viewpoints presented together.

On one hand, we see extreme legalism, and on the other, a rejection of legalism. However, both are related to the same things, an appropriate attitude for faith, and the place God takes in our lives. In one manner, by following a litany of instructions, we are continuously reminded of God's proper place in our lives and worship. On the other hand, we are reminded of the pitfalls of relying on rule sets as a way of ignoring God's *true* place in our hearts. Both paths have their shortcomings.

We can follow rules and forget what the rules represent, becoming twisted and harsh in our own legalistic purity. In this manner, we forget how we are sinners also, in need of grace. Or, we can adopt a lackadaisical attitude toward worship, disregarding accountability and purity of belief in God if we stray to far in the opposite direction. Jesus point is the distillation of the intent of OT law, to keep God at the front and center of our faith, so that we avoid a thought-life which might defile us.

So while the OT and NT seem so far apart in application, to me they seem incredibly closely related in intent. How do we keep God at the center of our hearts, so that evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness are kept at bay in our lives? While keeping ourselves busy with a laundry list of rules may provide a path, it is not the final path, because it does not guarantee faithfulness of heart to the mercy of God.

I let the world in and denied a part of my faith today. It was because of one of those thoughts crowded out my faith, for a moment. But a moment was all it took, and after the moment was over, it was gone, and I lost a chance I had. Regret is a hard thing to face, and this admonition from Christ is a good one for me to keep in mind. The shape of my denial may sound legalistic, but in reality, it was not. Its just hard to see how quickly things can displace faith, and very important to reflect on these words, for me. It is the thought life that defiles you.