“Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but
inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.[1]”
*Look to "Modern Day
Pharisee: PT. 1" for more context*
How To Be A Modern Day
Pharisee:
4) Change external behavior without changing your heart. The modern day
Pharisees desires approval from everyone they encounter. They desire approval
so much that they are willing to forego a “real” heart change through the power
of God. Their drive for approval in ministry and life overshadow any
relationship God wants them to encounter. They come to church ready to serve,
hoping (usually unconsciously) that someone may see them, and then at the end
of the day, when nobody is around, they do not know how to deal with themselves
and be honest with God; they do not have a relationship with the Father, only
his works. The modern day Pharisee shows the world that they love God by showing
his works externally, changing certain behaviors as to not arise suspicion, therefore
enabling them to hide in the crowd and never be challenged by His love
internally. They can hold God, the church and themselves at bay as long as they
live in the illusion that what they experience is truly a relationship with
God—in reality their “cup” appears clean on the outside, but inside is
shattered and broken. The hope of the modern day Pharisee comes through
relinquishing their desire to be praised by others and loving the Father
regardless of approval or status. Jesus would take a “dirty cup” with a clean
and intentional heart over the façade of a clean
cup.[2]
Once Jesus is allowed to effectively clean the modern day Pharisee, it will be
overwhelmingly apparent why they love and serve others…because God first loved
them.[3]
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