STILL ON THE PHARISEE PROBLEM

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We have talked about the hypocritical nature of the Pharisees.

The question is, where did they get it wrong?


The law! without Faith


Mark 10:17, 19 - 22

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

 "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "

 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth."

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.


Of course the law was good, but there was no faith, it was obvious that he trusted in riches.


We live in a time when this verse in the book of Ecclesiastes becomes so evident:


Ecclesiastes 10:19b

but money answers every thing.


Now the issue is not the wealth but how much we trust God, the trust should not be in the wealth. We should live by faith?


Do we offer just a mouthed worship? Or is our heart with the Lord? If we are with the Lord, then our thoughts, actions and inactions will show it.


Matthew 15:8

'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.


Have we passed the test?


Have we given up all to follow Him or do we follow Him to get all? Selah


It is so easy to say that if we lived in the time of Christ we would not also say:


Luke 23:21

But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!"


The same way some say "away with Christ, I want to enjoy this world and its pleasure". 


You have been saved but you still want to have control, you still want to place yourself and your possession (acquired or still acquiring) first. God cannot be first!


It is so easy to condemn the Pharisees but are we certain we are not living the same life or maybe worse.


The Lord grant us grace to stay on track, nothing will deray us.


As we prosper day after day, nothing will take God's grace from us, instead we will lead many into His Grace.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@ the watcher

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