By the book

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.”

Joshua 1:8(NKJV)

     By the book means to adhere strictly to the regulations or practices of something you believe in. This is believed to have come from the following of the rules in the Good Book; the Bible.

     We’re embedded with rules and regulations to follow if we want to remain a civilized society. The Israelites were also confined by laws they had to follow. The legalistic practices taught in the Old Testament were so regimented, they missed the Messiah who came to free them from those restrictions.

     Some churches today still put strict rules into place for their congregation to follow. They believe you must do this or that if you want to enter heaven. What they’ve forgotten is after the resurrection of Jesus, all we have to do is believe. Believe in the One who was sent by the Father to save us all.

     A perfect example is the man on the cross. No, not the One you’re thinking of but the thief hanging face to face with Jesus. Was this criminal previously saved and lost his way or did he have a “come to Jesus moment” on his death bed? We don’t know the man’s back story leading to his sentence, but we do know he was forgiven and entered paradise that day. We also know he knew who Jesus was, saying in Luke 41-42, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ” We know this man knew Jesus was blameless and he understood there was life after death. This repented sinner entered heaven because of his faith without being baptized that we know of.

     I love how this man was forgiven without doing anything by the book. He was saved by the grace of God. Even while dying on a cross, Jesus showed us how to forgive without judgment or condemnation and expects us as followers, to do the same.