Got Your Checklist?

If you're going to get everything done that needs to be done, you have to keep a to-do list, a checklist and a calendar. People used to carry around little booklets and calendars as planners. Nowadays, most of us use some sort of smartphone and the internet to keep up with our schedules. These things come in handy when you are keeping up with bills or making out your grocery list. They can help keep your organized at work so you complete your projects in a timely manner. Yet, we've become so dependent upon using such lists, that we take them places they ought not to go. And where is that?

Let's consider the Pharisees who constantly plotted against Jesus. The constantly "checked" his actions and those of his disciples. They became angry when Jesus healed on the Sabbath and when his disciples did not wash their hands before eating. They asked him questions not to gain knowledge but to try and trap him in contradicting the Law. They had their little check lists and went around evaluating everyone they could find. They were so intent on finding sin that they lost sight of the purpose of the Law.

Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

The very question shows a lack of love and it shows the the coldness of heart that these Pharisees had. Jesus had the perfect answer for them. Matthew 12:12 ". . . therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Other times the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Mark 2:27 says "Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." The checklist of accusatory questions continues with topics such as fasting and hand washing. They condemn him for eating with "tax collectors and sinners." They ask about paying taxes. They even bring an adulterous woman to him and demand that she be stoned as the Law commands. Did Jesus stone her? No. He said, "“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7.

So, before you pull out your checklist, take a good look at yourself. Matthew 7:1-5 says it quite well. "“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

How quickly we condemn each other, but our Lord is compassionate and shows mercy. He didn't even wait for us to repent before sacrificing his only Son. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Put your checklist away. Forgive each other. Show mercy and praise God for ". . . there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, . . ." Romans 8:1.