Theological Pharisees. Beware Of Pride!

Theological Pharisees,

The accuracy of Christian theology and Biblical understanding is crucial yet a Theological Pharisee is the kind of person who whether with full knowledge or hidden motives that they do not even fully discern, is a kind of person who may unknowingly value perfect doctrine over deep love- it is noble to want to be as accurate in our understanding of Scriptures as possible yet we can never substitute knowledge for the Love of God and love for our neighbor as well as fellow believers in the family of Christ.

This may offend some Christian on here but if what I am saying is deemed to be necessary or beneficial in the eyes of God then may he bless my words, if not may my words fall on deaf ears. Yet one very frustrating thing I have seen is a lot of fancy theological words yet at the same time a felt atmosphere among some Christians who many are most likely genuinely saved but may be falling into a ditch without realizing it.

There are times where I come across that seems to almost enjoy using big theology words and concepts and if we are all not careful, including myself, Im just as fallible as anyone else, but if we are all not careful we may be tempted to be in some degree of blindspots of our own be doing so for the show of it. And Jesus would never be pleased with this, and what will matter more then anything you read or what theology text books you memorize quotes from will be, how this practically works in ones life. You can quote Tozer all day and listen to Spurgeon sermons all you like, and yes these were great men of God yet doubtful they would be happy if they were cited just for any of us to look smart rather then to better grow in our faith in Christ, love for Him, and neighbors. There is a great need for truth without compromise in our day yet lets “do the latter and not leave the former undone,” as Jesus said.

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

How are we doing treating those who from a human standpoint are adversarial toward us? We are called to love our enemies and not just smack them back saying the “truth hurts” or “you need to hear this” kind of thing. Yes I agree there are times to be direct and forward and we must NEVER change God’s word to approve anyone’s sins but the crucial question is Motive,

We all must examine our underlying motivation of why we say what we believe is truth- and of course appropriately discern with God’s help what he thinks is needful at the moment- because the Bible also says there is a time to speak and time to hold our tongues, Jesus before Pontus pilate “remained silent” and wisdom of God tells us not just what we ought to say in accordance to Scriptural truth but in what time and context we should speak as well as when to refrain.

There is a need I think, and I know I need to do this just as much as anyone else, but there is a need for us to ask God to give us wisdom and “pure hearts” so that in sharing truth and speaking God’s Word we do not “make any provision for the flesh” Romans 13:14

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

http://niv.scripturetext.com/m/romans/13.htm

Trusting God Empowers Us to Defeat Sin and Unbelief.

This Psalm has been a very powerful reminder in my life, especially when I read it in one of the worst times of my adult life.

(Psalm 106:6-22) We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise. But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test. So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them. In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the Lord. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram. Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked. At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

Part of the people’s problems was their unbelief God could be relied on or trusted to obey fully. Yet that is what all of us are tempted to do. When we encounter problems, it can seem like our faith tank goes dry and we fret and try to devise plans or if you are like me at times, just grumble and get cynical. Yet the truth is, faith in the reliability and goodness of God can free us from worry, taking control and doing things our way and taking advantage of those around us, or doing something we know is wrong just to get our needs met.

(2 Peter 1:4) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

If we trust the promises of God we can overcome temptations to sin to get our needs met. I am trying to preach to myself today since this is something I need to keep working on myself but part the struggle is putting our weight down on God’s promises and patiently wait when he seems to delay his answers, see how it says in Psalm 106 “But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold”

1.) They forgot how God had been faithful,

2.) They did not wait in a posture of trust for him to do the good he was planning for them

As a result most died in the wilderness in unbelief and only a few made it in. For the non Christian their unbelief can keep them from receiving God’s mercy through faith in Christ yet many

Christians allow themselves to stay stuck in a desert of not reaching all the potential and purpose God wants to give us, the “abundant life” Jesus referred to. Many of us like Israel can give way to,

1.) They gave way to their cravings

2.) Put God to the test

3.) They grew envious of Moses

4.) They made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass.

5.) They forgot the God who saved them,

See how all their other problems flowed from that one major heart issue of unbelief. They gave into sin in their lack, they tested God, they envied, created a useless idol they thought could save them and meet their needs and forgot God.

The root of most all our issues if not all is pride and an unbelieving attitude and we must pray God enables us not to give way to these in times of need and discouragement but see Him as enough as well as trust Him to take care of us in His best ways and timing.