10. The Jews had neglected the true commandments of God in order to hold to the practice of regulations established by humans, and of which strict observers made matters of conscience. The very simple basis had ended up disappearing beneath the complexity of form. Since it was much easier to observe outward acts than to reform oneself morally, by washing their hands instead of cleansing their heart, people deluded themselves and believed that they were square with God because they conformed to such practices. Even though they remained as they were, they were taught that God required nothing more. That is why the prophet said, “In vain these people honor me with their lips, teaching human maxims and ordinances.”

The same occurred with Christ’s moral doctrine, which ended up being placed on a secondary level. Just like the Jews of old, many Christians came to believe that their salvation was more surely guaranteed by means of outward practices than by morality. It is to such human additions to the law of God that Jesus makes the allusion when he said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted shall be uprooted.”

The purpose of religion is to lead people to God, but people cannot reach God  unless they are perfect. Consequently, any religion that does not enable people to become better does not meet its objective. Any religion on which people believe they can support themselves for doing evil is either false per se or false in principle. Such is the result of all religions in which form is more important than the foundation. Belief in the efficacy of outward signs is nullified if it does not keep murders, adultery, robbery, slander or evil against one’s neighbor from being committed, whatever such signs may be. This sort of belief creates superstition, hypocrisy and fanaticism – not moral men and women. It is not enough, therefore, to put on the appearance of purity; above all, one must be pure of heart.