"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

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Modern Day Pharisee: PT 4


“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” (Matthew 23:5)

*Look to "Modern Day Pharisee: PT. 1" for more context*
 
 How To Be A Modern Day Pharisee:
4) Do things for people, not for Jesus. The modern day Pharisee serves to get the approval of people rather than God; doing “acts” that catches everybody’s attention. They join ministry with the hope of a title or being noticed by others. They serve to the point of sweat when people notice, but are unwilling to do anything in secret. Their hearts appear to want to serve and love God, but they are whitewashed tombs.[1] The modern day Pharisee hears the words of Jesus, “The greatest among you shall be your servant” and believe that because they “do” they are servants.[2] They love the applause of the crowd rather than God. God becomes their secondary, if not last, motive in serving their neighbor. The modern day Pharisee can only give honor to God when others give honor to him (the Pharisee). When the Pharisee is stripped of their position, they feel useless, because they never served God…they served their place of honor. The modern day Pharisee consumes all of God’s glory and in the process forgets the true One who deserves the glory. The true servant serves God and God's mission for them, to love, depends on the audience of One, not many.


[1] Matthew 23:27
[2] Matthew 23:11

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