Case management involves a lot of legal doings. Improper procedures can and do lead to court cases. If a case is late, you're out of compliance and can be sued. If you deny a person his right to an evaluation, you're out of compliance and can be sued. If the proper people are not invited to the meeting that decides the eligibility of the student, you're out of compliance and... well I think you know what I'm trying to say. I hear these three words fairly often, issued as a threat. I've even done my share of motivating with that phrase.

Out of compliance. I got thinking the other day about how that works in the church. The revealed and written-down Word of God is our basis for law. The new law, to be sure, but law nonetheless. Justified by grace through faith for sure, but brought into the ways of God just as surely, formed into His image. And there are a lot of ways to be out of compliance to the character of God.

Our interpretations of Scripture are the easiest way to set up a Heavenly lawsuit, it seems to me. Our combinations of Scripture that form our theology - and everyone has a theology - can lead us down a path whereby the Judge of all may have to call us for a side-bar, or more.

For example. Scripture : Be anxious for nothing. Added to human logic: nothing must include the needs of my neighbor too. Which means: I don't have to be concerned about my needs or my neighbors'. Which leads to the conclusion James reached: just tell people by faith to be warmed and filled, and they will be warmed and filled, and you can merrily walk on down the road, as the Pharisee you are...

Jesus gave us an example too. Scripture: Honor your father and mother. But another Biblical concept is placed next to it: The greatness of God demands our all. Human logic reasons: God is so great, I will give Him everything! So, Mom and Dad, there's nothing left for you! Jesus said that in this way people take the clear Word of God and destroy its effect.

A little self-examination will lead us to discover that there are any number of ways in which we try to justify ourselves by a particular verse or religious idea, but fail to take into account the whole counsel of God. The Lord's advice to us would be to keep listening, keep reading, keep obeying. The ways of God will soon begin to form a fabric intricately woven with seemingly contradictory but actually peacefully balanced teachings that will bring us from the threat of lawsuit to the joys of the very image of Christ being formed in us.