Saw this this morning... pharisees and heresies
It goes right along with what I wrote last post.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
a warning from Jesus
Read Jesus’ words speaking to his disciples and the multitudes about scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:2-7.
“…saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “
To his disciples and followers he says in verses 8-12…
“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.“
Jesus seems to be saying that He wants equality amongst those who follow Him. I don’t think we have followed these instructions very well. Christianity today looks very little like this. One “leader” after another is exalted over others. Followers become people who do not take responsibility for their own relationship with God. Followers seem to think "the “leader” knows best and is closer to God and hears His voice." He or she may have a title that reflects a life of study and dedication to God. Followers dupe themselves into a life of “sit back and watch the show“. This life will produce complacency towards God and dependence on this system.
Our Teacher is the Christ. Our Father is in heaven. We are created for a "one on one" relationship with Him.
Matthew 8:13... “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
Jesus strongly issues a warning to those who set themselves above others in religious settings. He accuses these particular scribes and Pharisees of hypocrisy and of shutting people out of the kingdom of heaven. Dangerous situations are created when people are put up on pedestals. Danger for the ones put on the pedestal and danger for the ones putting them there. Jesus never intended this.
Let God be God… man be man… and not confuse the two.
“…saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “
To his disciples and followers he says in verses 8-12…
“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.“
Jesus seems to be saying that He wants equality amongst those who follow Him. I don’t think we have followed these instructions very well. Christianity today looks very little like this. One “leader” after another is exalted over others. Followers become people who do not take responsibility for their own relationship with God. Followers seem to think "the “leader” knows best and is closer to God and hears His voice." He or she may have a title that reflects a life of study and dedication to God. Followers dupe themselves into a life of “sit back and watch the show“. This life will produce complacency towards God and dependence on this system.
Our Teacher is the Christ. Our Father is in heaven. We are created for a "one on one" relationship with Him.
Matthew 8:13... “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
Jesus strongly issues a warning to those who set themselves above others in religious settings. He accuses these particular scribes and Pharisees of hypocrisy and of shutting people out of the kingdom of heaven. Dangerous situations are created when people are put up on pedestals. Danger for the ones put on the pedestal and danger for the ones putting them there. Jesus never intended this.
Let God be God… man be man… and not confuse the two.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Crucified -- Raised -- Loved
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4-6)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.“ (Galatians 2:20)
These verses mirror each other.
#1 - Both speak of death. Ephesians says “we were dead.” Galatians says “I am crucified.” We were in Christ at the Cross.
#2 - Both speak of life. Ephesians says “made us alive together with Christ”. Galatians says “nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” We were in Christ at the Cross and were raised with Him in the resurrection. He lives in us.
#3 - Both speak of love. Ephesians says “because of His great love”. Galatians says “who loved me.” The love and faith of God and the Son of God makes it all happen in us.
This is the gospel of grace and the gospel of peace. This is the will of God for His creation.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Do we have a choice?
Did God give mankind a choice to be condemned because of Adam‘s sin? Most everyone I’ve known in Christianity over the years would say “no“. All of mankind was condemned when Adam (and Eve) acted in unbelief and disobedience toward God in the garden.
So, if we have no choice in that matter, do we have a choice in regard to reconciliation with God? Especially note verse 18 in Romans 5:12-21.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NKJV)
By one man’s offense all men were judged, made sinners, and condemned. By one man’s righteous act all men were justified and made righteous. There is no mention of choice being available in either case… to be condemned or redeemed.
So, if we have no choice in that matter, do we have a choice in regard to reconciliation with God? Especially note verse 18 in Romans 5:12-21.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NKJV)
By one man’s offense all men were judged, made sinners, and condemned. By one man’s righteous act all men were justified and made righteous. There is no mention of choice being available in either case… to be condemned or redeemed.
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