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 Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
New Testament Reading
As I was reading in John 1 tonight, specifically verses 35 through 42, and read the accompanying study notes, I ran across an interesting question. One that made me stop - and will stick in my mind until I have more time to think it over.
Here's the question: Why are you following Christ?
Simple question - right. Wrong!! Are we following Christ for the right reasons? If we are following Christ for our own purposes, i.e. His blessings, His favor, etc., then we are following Christ for the wrong reasons. If this is the case, we are actually asking Christ to follow us - to bless and support us - to advance our own causes instead of His.
Do we seek Christ's glory - or our own? When we perform a good deed, do we expect or want to hear praise for it? If so, then did we perform that deed to show God's love or to make ourselves look good? I actually experienced a good example of this myself. I became involved with a group who feed the homeless in our area monthly. The first time I went, it was amazing that we fed over 100 people and each person who came through the line said close to the same thing, "Thank you for coming and feeding us." My friend who accompanied the group also mentioned afterwards that there was something we did not do correctly. I thought things went well, so I questioned that statement. Of course, my own answer to these people, along with everyone else who was there, was the standard "You're Welcome." This was what we did wrong that night.
Receiving all the "thank yous" and responding with "you're welcome" simply took the praise and glory for ourselves. Our response should have been, "Jesus loves you." This would have put the praise and glory where it belonged. It was most certainly through God's provisions that we were able to purchase the necessary supplies and food to feed that many people. But, instead of directing the praise and glory in the proper direction, we simply took it for ourselves.
In verse 38 of John 1, it states that when when Jesus saw John's two disciples following Him, He asked, "What do you want?"
So, I will now take some time and think this over - specifically that question - what do I want? Do I want to follow Jesus for the right reasons or do I want to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons? Do I want to advance His cause or my own?
Here's the question: Why are you following Christ?
Simple question - right. Wrong!! Are we following Christ for the right reasons? If we are following Christ for our own purposes, i.e. His blessings, His favor, etc., then we are following Christ for the wrong reasons. If this is the case, we are actually asking Christ to follow us - to bless and support us - to advance our own causes instead of His.
Do we seek Christ's glory - or our own? When we perform a good deed, do we expect or want to hear praise for it? If so, then did we perform that deed to show God's love or to make ourselves look good? I actually experienced a good example of this myself. I became involved with a group who feed the homeless in our area monthly. The first time I went, it was amazing that we fed over 100 people and each person who came through the line said close to the same thing, "Thank you for coming and feeding us." My friend who accompanied the group also mentioned afterwards that there was something we did not do correctly. I thought things went well, so I questioned that statement. Of course, my own answer to these people, along with everyone else who was there, was the standard "You're Welcome." This was what we did wrong that night.
Receiving all the "thank yous" and responding with "you're welcome" simply took the praise and glory for ourselves. Our response should have been, "Jesus loves you." This would have put the praise and glory where it belonged. It was most certainly through God's provisions that we were able to purchase the necessary supplies and food to feed that many people. But, instead of directing the praise and glory in the proper direction, we simply took it for ourselves.
In verse 38 of John 1, it states that when when Jesus saw John's two disciples following Him, He asked, "What do you want?"
So, I will now take some time and think this over - specifically that question - what do I want? Do I want to follow Jesus for the right reasons or do I want to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons? Do I want to advance His cause or my own?
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.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Testimony??
In John 9, we read of the story of Jesus encountering a man who had been blind from birth. He spat on the ground, made a mud and covered the blind man's eyes. He then instructed the man to go wash himself in the pool of Siloam. The man did as he was instructed and, once washed, he could see. his eyes were opened.
Wow! What a testimony this man had to tell. In verse 11, we see that he did, indeed, start telling people how his sight had been restored. Not only was his physical sight restored, but his spiritual sight had also been restored through this miracle.
Now, we don't have this kind of testimony to give - obviously. But, many of us have had "awakening" experiences. To give your testimony, you don't have to have an elaborate story - just relate to others how your spiritual sight has been restored.
Perhaps many people do not "testify" for Jesus because they feel they don't have an awesome story to tell. Maybe they think that the way God opened their spiritual eyes is not spectacular enough that anyone will listen. Again, it does not have to be a spectacular story.
Our lives can be the most powerful testimony we could ever give. If we strive to live within God's will and make him foremost in our lives, others will see the change in us - they will be able to see Jesus in our lives. This, in itself, is a very powerful testimony.
Be sure that you are walking the path God has planned for you to walk. Be kind and considerate to others - treat others the way Jesus would have treated them. If you get a chance, tell others how God has moved in your life.
Remember - you may be the only "Jesus" someone sees.
Wow! What a testimony this man had to tell. In verse 11, we see that he did, indeed, start telling people how his sight had been restored. Not only was his physical sight restored, but his spiritual sight had also been restored through this miracle.
Now, we don't have this kind of testimony to give - obviously. But, many of us have had "awakening" experiences. To give your testimony, you don't have to have an elaborate story - just relate to others how your spiritual sight has been restored.
Perhaps many people do not "testify" for Jesus because they feel they don't have an awesome story to tell. Maybe they think that the way God opened their spiritual eyes is not spectacular enough that anyone will listen. Again, it does not have to be a spectacular story.
Our lives can be the most powerful testimony we could ever give. If we strive to live within God's will and make him foremost in our lives, others will see the change in us - they will be able to see Jesus in our lives. This, in itself, is a very powerful testimony.
Be sure that you are walking the path God has planned for you to walk. Be kind and considerate to others - treat others the way Jesus would have treated them. If you get a chance, tell others how God has moved in your life.
Remember - you may be the only "Jesus" someone sees.
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