2049) It’s possible to get so caught up in keeping laws and rules that we miss the whole picture. I can sense a collective breath filling the lungs over a statement like this. Let’s think about it.  

It’s a temptation to take a rule or command of God and add to it. This is often done unintentionally, but its effects can cause trouble and friction.  

If God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy, then we can add to this and make specific distinctions of what keeping the Sabbath means. So, if God tells me to keep the Sabbath, then I cannot walk more than so many feet that day. I cannot make a meal for my family on this day and more. You see? I’m keeping the Sabbath because I’m not doing the specific things I have used to define God’s words.  

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus criticized the Pharisees because they took the command of God to tithe and give detailed rules that would “fulfill” the commandment. They were so dead set on being right they missed the spirit of the law, which is to give back to God in gratitude, not right-ness.  

Should these thoughts be used to justify not keeping specifics of God’s rules and laws? No. It means we need to be less of a right fighter and spend our time following God.