Wrong Rules
Luke 6:1-2 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. But some Pharisees said, "why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?"
I think we can agree that the Pharisees were ridiculously legalistic. They had taken rules for the Sabbath day to an extreme. In fact there are many examples in the Bible of the Pharisees adding their own rules and expectations to God's commands. My question to you is, what wrong rules are you following? The answer will probably require some quiet time, some prayer and reflection, and perhaps a Christian friend who will be honest with you.
The rituals of the Old Testament were never intended to be a permanent part of worship, as Scripture clearly teaches: Heb 9:10 For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies-- physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
There is no New Testament mandate to include recitations, ceremonial objects, or symbolic physical gestures in our worship today. Our devotion is to the Lord Jesus, not to various rituals or liturgies.True Christianity, as derived from accurate interpretation of the Bible, is not rules-based or ritual-based. Rather, it is relationship-based. Rituals designed by people are fallible and are often unscriptural. It is even possible to “nullify the word of God” with the traditions people have created (Mark 7:13). Jesus warned against “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7).Repetitious prayers or creeds or songs can, over time, lead to dullness in worship rather than the free expression of one’s heart, mind, and soul before God.
Are rituals wrong? No, not inherently. Empty ritual is wrong, as is any ritual that replaces, obscures, or detracts from a vibrant relationship with Christ. Are rituals commanded in the church? No, except for baptism and communion. God sees the heart, and He seeks those who worship Him “in Spirit and in truth”
John 4:24 "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth".
