As I was struggling to understand the rules and rituals of other religions (and even the ones in my own life), I came across this verse in Colossians 2:23, it says, ”These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires.”
Not that rules and discipline are wrong, they are indeed very effective, but if you’re trusting in them to save you, you’re being misled. I Samuel 16:7 “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” It was a huge challenge to me, that although I may be going through the “motions” of being a Christian, God is the One who truly sees my heart, and if I can’t conquer my evil thoughts and desires,…. all else is “sinking sand”. One of my favorite hymns, (and if you know me, you know there are many) is, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand”
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
