Matthew 23:3-13
Pharisees do not practice what they say.
They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
They make their phylacteries wide.
They love the place of honor at feasts
They love the best seats in the synagogues.
They love greetings in the marketplaces.
Woe to you.
You shut the Kingdom of heaven in people's face.
The Pharisees were addicted to religious rules and practices.
What about me? What am I addicted to?
What conviction rules within you?
If I live my life demanding satisfaction
I will become addicted to the experience of
Satisfaction
whether through food, sex, ministry, close relationships
worship times, meaningful work, or happy family life.
There is a Holy Desire in your depths that will expose
every other satisfaction as unworthy to be compared
with the satisfying joy of loving others with Divine Power.
66 LL
We hear people talk about hypocritical Christians; it seems to be "the" thing many non believers cannot get past. I think many times it is because Christians do not practice what(we)they preach.
ReplyDeleteWe need to remember non believers are always watching our actions or lack thereof and listening to the words of our mouths.
"...observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do .For they preach, but do not practice."
ReplyDeleteObserve... I think that's the hardest part of being a Christian. Knowing people are always watching us to see how we handle life. It's strange how God convicted me through this blog land. When I first became "addicted" to it I would write something, maybe leave encouraging comments on the blogs I visited, then turn off the computer and treat my husband in a not-so-loving way. I really felt like a hypocrite. I hope He keeps convicting me on this issue. It's huge in my life!
Happy Saturday!
"Then Jesus..."
ReplyDeleteSo very thankful this wet morning for these words of Christ. It has rained like the days of Noah here. Overnight the rivers have swollen and left their banks. Rushing waters flow.
Christ comes to those who are bound up in impossible "jots and tittles" written by the tyranny of the hypocrite.
We have One Instructor.
We have One Father.
We have One Rabbi.
And the conjoined commands free us to actually love ourselves so that we can love God and others. Sinners are eternally caught up in the lie that we can never please God when the "jots and tittles" are too hard to keep. Impossible. Law that convicts. And makes us despise ourselves.
We have been given these conjoined commands that release us to untie the tie that binds.
Walk in love today. Count the ways God has graced you today. Gratitude overwhelms ungratefulness because it is of God.
Thank Him today for the Grace sent out searching for you...because He loves you. He loves you and knows the way to read your heart.
Praise Him today for the Love He is raining down on you today.
Can you receive it?
If not, tell Him and let Him heal. You were made to receive His Love. Let Him heal what has hurt.
Then Jesus...
Matthew 23:22 "A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless."
ReplyDeleteWith the promise comes accountablilty. I hear what you're saying, Ang. So many times I act like a Pharisee, I think of holiness, then I act unholy. I am unloving and unkind to those who love me most. I need to remember the promise to God, to my spouse, to my family, to love unconditionally. May I always remember my promise to love.
I so love reading your posts, Bev, and all of your comments. I came over to String from Bible Gateway with the only thing really standing out was hearing my mom's voice, "practice what you preach." And then I read your comments, and each of them registered more familiarity, and some conviction, I might add.
ReplyDeleteLove you Pearls.