There were some that did this. They saw themselves as educated authorities that pushed people to take on strong devotion, pious self denial and severe bodily disciplines. People were deceived and convinced they would have to work harder and harder. They would condemn people for not keeping sabbaths and other holy days.
No one makes it to God by keeping a list of rules or laws. The law only shows us that we are not able to keep it. All have missed the mark of perfect holiness. Two times in the new testament the Bible teaches against those who do this.
Jesus took our place, fulfilled the law and died for all mankind.
People are made right with God when they trust Christ as Lord. I surrender and trust God. My attempts to make it to God do not work.
Our focus is on the inside. Christ in me is in the Bible about 170 times. As Jesus helps me work on the inside, the outside actions will continue to change.
Once I trust him I don't go find a list of rules to prove something. The Christian life is just a continuation of trusting Christ to lead in my life. Day by day just get up and seek after God. Live a surrendered life to how God leads you. Seek him through prayer and reading the Bible. Keep on trusting Christ as leader of your new life. Christ is with all who have put their trust in him. Just let him lead. Read Colossians 2 in the Bible for more on this.
