It has been a while since my son was in school. It’s been even longer since I was in school. However, I hear parents today complaining about common core math. From what I have seen, a simple math problem such as 18+12=30 (add 8+2=10; carry the one to make it 3; answer is 30) is now a complicated formula in which a child has to produce steps to show how they arrived at the answer, even if it is a simple mathematical equation.

We have created this same kind of philosophy regarding religion. We have so many different churches, all with different rules that twist it to satisfy mankind. We try to make the Word of God fit with our lifestyles. We try to make salvation complicated by adding man’s rules to something God made so simple, even a child could understand. But once we have been saved, mankind muddies the water. One church teaches you have to wash feet; another church teaches you have to be tolerant of everything; another church teaches you to be intolerant of anything. And every church has bylaws upon bylaws. We have forgotten what it means to be a child of God.

We have turned salvation into common core religion.

This is not something new; it actually appeared within the very first churches. They couldn’t seem to grasp that salvation is as simple as accepting Christ. They had to apply their own views and call it religion. Some held to philosophy; some to legalism; and others tried to merge circumcision with salvation. As Christ said in Matthew 4:17, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Webster’s definition of fulfill is: to complete by performance; to bring to pass. Christ simply completed the old law, which was burdensome, and became the perfect lamb sacrifice for Jew and Gentile alike.

In the end, what truly matters is that we have a personal relationship with Jesus; that we obey God. Admittedly, it’s not always easy to obey, simply because we don’t want to surrender.

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Col 2:6-10