In my study tonight, I am examining the 15th chapter of Matthew. The chapter basically begins with the Pharisees judging the activities of Jesus and his disciples, trying to find wrong doing. They asked why the disciples did not wash their hands before eating, claiming that they were defying age-old traditions.
It seems to me that many of our "churches" today are doing the same - acting like the Pharisees. Traditions have been practiced and elevated to the status of commands from God. Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with having traditions - social groups have them, religious groups have them, and even many families have them. My own family has certain traditions. However, we need to be careful not to elevate these traditions to a point where undue importance is assigned to them, much less to the point where they are considered commandments from God.
Further in the chapter, in verses 10 through 16, Jesus is trying to explain a simple concept to his disciples. There were many "laws" about what could be eaten and drank, and Jesus explained that it is not what we eat or drink that defines us - but what is in our hearts. In verse 17, Jesus states, "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer." (NLT). If we stop to think about this, we see how true this is. It may raise our blood sugar a bit or add a little weight to our bodies on that journey, but that is about all.
However, as Jesus explains in the verses following that statement, the words we speak - the actions we perform - reflect what is in our hearts. And, what is in our hearts is what is important. If our hearts are full of evil thoughts, then there is no room left for Jesus. And - our words and actions will reflect those evil thoughts.
Verses 8 and 9 highlight this, as Jesus quoted what was written by Isaiah, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God." (NLT)
I have heard many people make the claim that, to a great extent, the "church" has become the greatest earthly enemy of true Christianity. I fully agree with this statement. "Organized religion" places so much importance on "traditions" and "rituals" that they have drifted far from actually following the examples and commandments of Jesus.
Have any of you experienced this type of experience with Christian worship? Do you know a religious organization who has placed such undue importance on "traditions"? I would love to hear from you!!
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2015
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Testimony - Simple Statement
Yesterday, I spoke about the story of the blind man that is found in John 9. In verses 12 - 25, we hear how, not only the man himself, but even his parents were questioned about how he gained eyesight. We see two very different stances here:
First, the man simply stated what had happened to him - how he had gained eyesight and was no longer blind. Even though questioned more than once, his story remained simple and remained the same. He did not shy away from answering the questions. He did not shy away from simply stating what had happened to him and who had done this.
On the other hand, we see some very common behavior these days. The man's own parents would not answer the questions. They conceded that he was their son; they conceded that he had been born blind; and there was no question that he could now see. But that is as far as they would go - they would not discuss how this had happened. When questioned they simply stated - "Ask him - he is old enough to speak for himself."
Their behavior here was a simple matter of fear. The fear of the Pharisees and the fear of being exiled from the synagogue. They didn't "deny" what their son was saying, but they would not "confirm" what he was saying either. They were neutral. Far too many people are "neutral" because they are afraid of what somebody else will think or say about them. This is being "lukewarm".
This is what the Bible tells us about being "lukewarm": (in various translations)
King James:
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
New American Standard:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will [a]spit you out of My mouth.
NIV:
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
NLT:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
I have shown this in various translations to illustrate that the message does not waiver - it is the same regardless of the translation. We are NOT to be lukewarm.
What do you say when someone asks you about Jesus? Do you ever take the opportunity to testify to your belief in God? It is not hard to testify about what God means to you.
Simply fill in the following statement: "I was ________ and now I am __________, because of Jesus." How would you fill in the blanks?? We would love to hear your statement.
First, the man simply stated what had happened to him - how he had gained eyesight and was no longer blind. Even though questioned more than once, his story remained simple and remained the same. He did not shy away from answering the questions. He did not shy away from simply stating what had happened to him and who had done this.
On the other hand, we see some very common behavior these days. The man's own parents would not answer the questions. They conceded that he was their son; they conceded that he had been born blind; and there was no question that he could now see. But that is as far as they would go - they would not discuss how this had happened. When questioned they simply stated - "Ask him - he is old enough to speak for himself."
Their behavior here was a simple matter of fear. The fear of the Pharisees and the fear of being exiled from the synagogue. They didn't "deny" what their son was saying, but they would not "confirm" what he was saying either. They were neutral. Far too many people are "neutral" because they are afraid of what somebody else will think or say about them. This is being "lukewarm".
This is what the Bible tells us about being "lukewarm": (in various translations)
King James:
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
New American Standard:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will [a]spit you out of My mouth.
NIV:
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
NLT:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
I have shown this in various translations to illustrate that the message does not waiver - it is the same regardless of the translation. We are NOT to be lukewarm.
What do you say when someone asks you about Jesus? Do you ever take the opportunity to testify to your belief in God? It is not hard to testify about what God means to you.
Simply fill in the following statement: "I was ________ and now I am __________, because of Jesus." How would you fill in the blanks?? We would love to hear your statement.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
"Finding Peace" - Chapter Six
I have now finished chapter six of this book. It was probably the best chapter I have encountered in the entire book so far. The title of this chapter is "How Your Thought Life Affects Your Peace" and it addresses seven categories of thoughts that will destroy your peace.
1. Sinful thoughts
2. Self-Limiting Thoughts
3. Erroneous Thoughts
4. Unrealistic Thoughts
5. Rebellious Thoughts
6. Obsessive Thoughts
7. Enslaved Thoughts
Now if you think that you already know what is contained in the discussion on any of these seven categories of thoughts, you may need to think again. When I began this chapter, I skimmed through the headings and thought that I knew what to expect from several of the categories. But, what I found what the in each and every one of these categories, there were things that I would never have thought of. There is also very good advice on how to handle each of these "thought" problems.
This was a chapter that I will re-visit when I complete the book and make several notes from, no doubt. I do not like to mark in my books; otherwise, I would have highlighted many passages in this chapter.
On to Chapter Seven - I will post again when I complete the chapter.
1. Sinful thoughts
2. Self-Limiting Thoughts
3. Erroneous Thoughts
4. Unrealistic Thoughts
5. Rebellious Thoughts
6. Obsessive Thoughts
7. Enslaved Thoughts
Now if you think that you already know what is contained in the discussion on any of these seven categories of thoughts, you may need to think again. When I began this chapter, I skimmed through the headings and thought that I knew what to expect from several of the categories. But, what I found what the in each and every one of these categories, there were things that I would never have thought of. There is also very good advice on how to handle each of these "thought" problems.
This was a chapter that I will re-visit when I complete the book and make several notes from, no doubt. I do not like to mark in my books; otherwise, I would have highlighted many passages in this chapter.
On to Chapter Seven - I will post again when I complete the chapter.
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