Don't Be a Pharisee!
One of my biggest fears is being a Pharisee. These were the leaders in the synagogues, back in Jesus' day, who knew God's (600+) laws and commands. They had strict traditions and often judged and condemned people who weren't living up to God's (their) standards. I don't know too much about them, other than what I've read in the Bible, but Jesus did not have very good things to say to them or about them. I've been pondering this thought for the last few months: The Pharisees thought they were so right; yet, they had it all wrong! The Messiah was before them, and they didn't even know it! They were the ones who hated Jesus, and had him killed! Let's read part of Matthew 23, too see what Jesus thought of them.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
2 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.
This is probably the most positive thing Jesus says about them, but then in the next sentence he points out their misdeeds.
But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
Pharisees sat on their high horses and pedestals and judged everyone who wasn't living according to the law. They felt they were living righteously, but were legalistic and hypocrites. They were proud and ritualistic. Keep reading Matthew 23 (13-39), the Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, and you will see why Jesus calls them hypocrites. The Pharisees knew God's laws better than everyone else, but it was nothing more than head knowledge. They had no love, mercy, or compassion, or as Jesus says to them, But you have neglected the more important matters of the law‚ justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). They were self-righteous (hypocrites) and looked down on everyone, who they believed were not keeping the law, but they had no love.
I think about this concept a lot, having head knowledge, but no love. I love God's Word, and growing in my faith. I love studying God's word and sharing what I've learned. God has given me many revelations, life lessons, and corrections. I know a lot more than I did when I was first saved, but no matter how much I learn, I will never know enough. Only God is all-knowing! But I (we), could so easily become a Pharisee. Do you think the Pharisees knew that God was not pleased with them? I've thought to myself, What if I think I am so right, but I am actually so wrong (and don't even see it)? This is how the Pharisees were. Do you think they would have sent Jesus to be crucified if they knew God's Son was standing right before them? Do you think they would have spit on Jesus and made fun of him, had they known that one day they would be bowing to him? I'd hate to be one of them.
There are too many self-righteous Christians, living in their happy, mess-free box, judging those more lowly than them. They're happy being content that they are going to heaven and proud that they are serving God (doing medial church tasks), and pat themselves on the backs for being at church every Sunday. Yet, these same Christians don't do anything to win souls for Christ. They never leave the four walls of their church building. They are proud, and refuse to get their hands dirty, or associate themselves with sinners. Romans 12:16 tells us to not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. I know this all too well, because I was on my way to becoming this type of person. Praise God that He stopped me.
I am so far from being perfect, and I admit, I've looked down on people struggling with sin, and thought, they are so lost, they need Jesus! Or how can they do that? I've thought of my own husband, he isn't doing anything to grow his faith. He never prays or reads the Bible. I'd pray and tell God how messed up my husband was, each time I was frustrated with him. Then, I saw something on Instagram that hit me so hard. It said, DON'T JUDGE OTHERS BECAUSE THEIR SINS ARE DIFFERENT THAN YOURS. This was so eye-opening and convicting. God reminded me that He wants to work on me, and that I need to focus on myself. I also need to trust that He is also working on my husband, and that work is between him and God. No matter how much I read the Bible or pray, I must remember to be merciful and loving.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Without love, the things we do are meaningless. We have to get out of our clean and righteous Christian box, and share the love of Christ. We have to be willing to sit or travel with those held captive by their sin, remembering that we, too, were once right where they are. Do we, like the Pharisees, only have head knowledge of following Christ, but no heart knowledge? How can we love those Jesus loves? How can we be like Paul, and turn from being a Pharisee, to becoming a Champion for Christ? Let us humble ourselves, and make ourselves available to those Christ desires to save. Let us refuse to judge others, but meet them where they are, and introduce them to Jesus, the hope of all the world!
This leads me to the other side of that. What if we had been one of the common people, back in Jesus' day, and Jesus was right before us: Teaching, feeding the thousands, healing, delivering, correcting others; but we never knew he was there? We never knew he could help or trusted him to. We didn't take time to find out if he truly was the son of God. This is another frightening thought: What if Jesus is standing right in front of us, and we say, YOU AREN'T JESUS, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. I have wondered, what if I never accepted Christ? How much more different would I be, how much different would my life be? God has done so much for me, that I never could have done for myself. He continues to provide and meet my needs, daily. He's been my comfort, deliverer, and healer. He straightens me out, corrects me when I'm wrong, and teaches me new things. He forgives me and washes away my sins. What would happen if I never chose to accept Jesus?
Some of you are in this place, right now. Jesus continues to stand and knock at your door (Revelation 3:20), but you ignore him. You've seen what God has done in the lives of others, yet don't believe He can do it for you. Others of you have seen and witnessed God do something in your life, but you can't fully commit to him because you think you're not good enough, or not ready to give your WHOLE life to him. My encouragement is this: Ask yourself if Jesus was standing right in front of you, performing signs, miracles, and wonders, would you know it was him? My hope and prayer is that you would, and that you would begin your personal relationship with him. Open the door, and invite him into your heart. You will not regret it!
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this message and for the readers. Thank You also, for Your son Jesus Christ. It is because of him, we have salvation. It is because of him, we have access to life, healing, deliverance, love, truth, mercy, and forgiveness. Lord, I pray that You will meet each reader, right now, exactly where they are. Use this message to speak to them, to make them uncomfortable, to open their eyes. If they're on the verge of becoming a Pharisee like I was, correct them and show them their errors. If they're afraid of loving those You love, give them a new heart. For those afraid to let You in, keep pursuing them. Shower them with your love and show them they aren't strong or smart enough to lead their own lives. Show them their need for a Savior. Let us not be afraid of showing love, compassion, and mercy. Correct us LORD, and may we, daily, grow deeper in Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
