"Jesus thus calls on people to live as he lives, in contradistinction to the agonistic, competitive form of life marked by conventional notions of honor and status typical of the larger Roman world. Behaviors that grow out of service in the kingdom of God take a different turn: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Extend hospitality to those who cannot reciprocate. Give without expectation for return. Such practices are possible only for those whose dispositions, whose convictions and commitments, have been reshaped by transformative encounter with the goodness of God." - Joel B. Green

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Modern Day Pharisee: PT. 2

Matthew 23:1-3 
" Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice." 

*Look to "Modern Day Pharisee: PT. 1" for more context*
 
 How To Be A Modern Day Pharisee:
 2)  Tell people what to do without following it yourself: Jesus, in this verse, tells the crowd and his disciples that what the Pharisees and Scribes teach are good things, should be obeyed, and followed. Jesus strongly warns against doing as the Pharisees and Scribes do; Jesus is basically saying, "Do as they say, but not as they do." The modern day Pharisee may have great information, about God, the Bible, or life, but they lack the ability, within themselves, to be transformed by the words they offer to others. The modern day Pharisee gives answers and lacks the ability to ask questions. They have no desire to learn from people in their life because they believe they know ALL the answers. Moreover, they desire the letter of the law--the rules, which are to draw us closer to God--more than God himself. God becomes secondary to their first love, rules. They preach the rules and obligations more than the love of God because their regenerated heart, slowly callusing, forgot that God desires mercy and not sacrifice.[1]



[1] Hosea 6:6 ; Matthew 9:13

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