It is not easy to cut through the man-made trappings which surround religion and discover what God is like and what he expects of man. Church history is full of attempts at reformation aimed at trying to set aside traditions for truth. But how quickly is truth encrusted with tradition once again!

In Jesus’ time, the straightforward commandments of God had been refined and interpreted by Jewish scholars until the interpretations became more important than the Law. Jesus pointed out, you “transgress the commandment of God by your tradition”(Matthew 15:3). He pointed out that their problem was where they placed their emphasis as he charged the Scribes and Pharisees, “you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith”(Matthew 23:23).

True, Christians are not bound by the law of Moses in the same way a Jew was. But reflect on these Ten Commandments. Here you will catch a glimpse into the heart of God. Judgment, mercy, faith - all the commandments in summary. These are the weightier matters.