Ran across this from Peter Haas. He is a young AoG church planter."The difference between a Pharisee and a Christian is not that one teaches the law and the other doesn't. Rather, the differences is in how the law is taught and our motives that drive our obedience to the law. There are entire ministries designed around obnoxious people telling others about the Moral Law minus any kindness that might actually lead them to repentance.To put this another way: Many Christians falsely think that evangelism is the proclamation of the truth. But the Bible teaches that it's truth plus a relationship with the Spirit of Life. (Rom.8) In fact, the Apostle Paul taught that ministering the truth by itself is propagating the law of sin and death. (Rom 7). It's worse than giving medicine without the spoon full of sugar; its indigestible. Thus, when sinners get angry at our incomplete Gospel proclamations, many legalistic Christians think they are being persecuted. But, in reality, their victims are nothing more than little kids vomiting up their ill advised approach to medicine".That is a tremendous couple of paragraphs. We all would do well to consider them deeply if we truly want to see evangelism happening in our churches and lives. IMHO.
Wow -- this is so true! Thank you for posting it!I have heard the anecdote of how a blade can be used as a dangerous weapon or for good (as in the hand of a surgeon). A "Pharisee" knows the truth...on a surface level. However, it seems like it is a selective application or acceptance of truth. They also lack the relationship aspect of faith. Saul was zealous for the truth...a tremendous scholar and Pharisee. However, he rejected any notion that was outside of what he was taught or decided to believe. It wasn't until Saul met Christ on the road to Damascus that he came to understand the relationship aspect of the Scriptures. Pharisees may see and know the truth, but they have a difficult time understanding their own flaws and need for a relationship with God. As a result, they can be angry people because they see no reason to extend the same grace and patience toward maturity that is shown anyone who meets the Lord. It is "their way or the highway" and they often show little patience for those who don't accept what they say or see it their way. When we aren't careful, we can all fall into this attitude. The only way that I think that we can avoid this error is by staying close to the feet of Jesus, ministering to the lost (hurting people from all backgrounds and levels of maturity), maintaining fellowship (and the accompanying encouragement) with other believers and looking into the mirror of God's Word each day out of a desperate heart to be more like Him. Again, thanks for sharing this!
_________________-ChrisJeremiah 29:11-13<///><"Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?" - epitaph of Leonard Ravenhill"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
hi, truly a wonderful post. thank you...jimp
I've recently heard it said, quite appropriately, that a Pharisee is NOT one who preaches law, but one who preaches the precepts of MEN. This is true, but other definitions are also true, as for example Pharisees were also hypocrites and did not practice what they preached regardless of whether it was from men or God.
_________________9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE JEWS,AND ARE NOT,but are the synagogue of Satan.==Rev. 2:9 (see also Rev. 3:9)emph. mine"FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, *THERE* AM I, IN THE MIDST OF *THEM*."==MATTHEW 18:20 (emph. mine)
