Man Just Can't Resist, Can He?

One of the things that strikes me about man is his inability to just follow directions.  Even when God gives simple instructions it seems that man just has to interject his touch.  My example today is from the book of Acts. 

Acts 15:5-10(NKJV)

5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

6Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 

7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 

8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 

9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 

10Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 

OK, so we have Peter say look God gave them the Holy Spirit without requiring these other things.  Apparently that was good enough in God's eyes.  Who are we to add additional burdens? 

I find that logic good.  But what do they do in the next breath? 

Acts 15:23-29(NKJV)

23They wrote this, letter by them:          The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,         To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:         Greetings.

24        Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, £saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—

25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 

26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 

28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 

29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.£ If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.          Farewell.

They added conditions or guidance.  Now I'm not saying the conditions were bad, I'm just pointing out that we humans just can't seem to help ourselves in trying to improve on what God has given us.

Here's a suggestion.  Next time God slides up and whispers what He'd like you to do, just say "OK", don't try to improve on it.  You'll be surprised at how simpler life will become.