Ever look for a ‘loophole’ to avoid a rule? Loopholes allow people to circumvent the intent of the law. American tax codes are full of loopholes that allow some to avoid paying their full tax. Kids are famous for their ability to interpret Mom’s words with narrow application, keeping the letter of the law while missing the intent of it. They can then claim, “But I did what you said, Mom!”

Religious observance is sometimes practiced with this same kind of minimal participation that misses the point of full devotion. Jesus once said of some very religious people that they were scrupulous to give the required 10% of their income but missed the very point of generosity.  

So, where did this strange word come from?

The term “loophole” originated in the mid-15th century from medieval forts and castles. A loophole was a narrow, vertical slits in the wall through which archers could shoot at attackers and yet remain safe from returned arrows. The word came from Middle English loupe, a slit.

One day Jesus disciples were challenged by religious leaders for failure to practice the required ritual handwashing before eating. These men were ignoring their own glaring hypocrisies. Jesus answered them with a stinging critique- “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”  (Matthew 15)

Have you ever done that with the Words of God? I am sure I have. Thinking I have found a loophole, I ignore the plain teaching of the Scripture, twisting the words of the text in a way that allows me to conveniently set aside my obedience. In the process, I rob myself of God’s best and fail to honor Him with my whole heart.

Jesus reserved His most harsh words for those who professed a love for God, using all the right words but who worked hard to find loopholes that allowed them to claim to be holy all the while doing exactly what they wanted to do. God wasn’t buying the Pharisees’ professions of devotions as authentic. In another text from the Gospel, we read this story. “A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.” (Matthew 21:28-31, NLT)

Cheap religion is all about making a good impression by singing the ‘right’ kind of songs, being in the church at the ‘right’ times or saying the ‘right’ kind of prayers -all unmatched by the right kind of heart!

No matter how we dress it up, God isn’t impressed by our ‘lawyering’ of the Scripture. He desires true devotion that encompasses the totality of our lives, meeting not just the ‘letter of the Law’ but finding the spirit of His commandments,

When we honestly admit to our desire to do our own thing than to say we love Him while continuing to live for ourselves we become open to the work of the Holy Spirit Who begins to change us inside out.

Adopting a superficial holiness is a kind of vaccine that prevents us from feeling the effects of sin’s sickness that drives us to desperately seek Him! Listen to the passion in the words of the Lord when He challenges a heart-less religion. “Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it.” (Matthew 15:7-8, The Message)

Here at the beginning of Lent, I appeal to us all to be authentic. IF there are thoughts, desires, words, actions that are ‘less than’ the wholeness of God’s desire, confess it. If there are gaps between the claim to love God and reality, admit it – to yourself first, then to Him.

Let’s pray to know and walk in the full intent of God’s Word, not seeking loopholes, but pursuing wholehearted devotion. In this, we will find true JOY in the journey.

Here’s a word from the Word on which to meditate today.

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
(James 2:14-18 New Living Translation)

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