Post by Brother Michael (FE) on Jan 19, 2018 0:10:11 GMT -8
Am I a "Modern Day Pharisee"?
"Do All of your Christian friends look and act just like you do."
Pharisees are exclusive. They pick and choose who enters the group. But Jesus never valued exclusivity. Just look at his chosen twelve. A tax collector (Matthew). A doctor (Luke). Fishermen (Peter and Andrew). A Zealot (Simon). That’s a conglomerate of guys from many different backgrounds.
"If someone tries to rebuke you, Do you get angry and offended?"
Remember what happened Jesus rebuked the Pharisees? Their hearts broke. They repented. And Jesus used them to start the church.
Not.
When Jesus called out their sins, the Pharisees crucified him. Modern-day Pharisees see any rebuke as a personal attack. They immediately go on the offensive. Some get angry and storm off. Others proceed to make a list of sins to the person rebuking them.
Regardless, modern-day Pharisees refuse to have a heart receptive to rebuke. It undermines their external righteousness. And it undermines the lie that they are perfect.
"Do You believe outsiders should conform to a certain lifestyle before they are accepted as “Christian?”
This is a Pharisee trademark. Before non-Christians can be considered “part of the group,” they must conform to a certain lifestyle. Stop all of the cursing and drinking. And stop doing all the stuff “bad people” do.
Once potential Christians “fix their lives,” modern-day Pharisees gladly welcome these people into their family. Just don’t revert back to “sinning” again. Membership in the group is always conditional.
Instead of meeting people where they are, modern-day Pharisees force people to come up to their level. And until these people live up to the standard, they will be on the outside looking in.
"Do You read the Bible to substantiate your convictions, not to be shaped into God’s image?"
During the time of Jesus, no one knew more Scripture than the Pharisees. They studied the Scriptures relentlessly.
Modern-day Pharisees do the same. But they turn around and use the knowledge to convince others why they are wrong. The Bible is their personal weapon. Modern-day Pharisees use it to throw rocks at all the misguided, evil sinners in the world.
I’m sometimes tempted to believe that arriving at the right answer validates the way that I got there. But when we place too much weight on the "right" thing, we can discount the process which is often as important as the result. When I’m truthful with myself, I discover that some of my honourable deeds are prompted by a heart that is less-than-honourable. An act of generosity is sparked by my hope that I’ll be recognized; a gesture of service is motivated by my desire to please someone; a decision to sacrifice my agenda is fueled by the possibility that I will get my way the next time.
When my noble actions are prompted by selfish motives, I live like a Pharisee. I might arrive at the "right" answer, but I’m counting the wrong way.
The reason why Pharisees can’t count is because they focus on righteous deeds instead of developing righteous hearts. This emphasis blinded them to their sinful motives. For example, when they declared that Jesus had broken the Sabbath, they did not consider the irony of using the same day to plot how they might kill Him (Matthew 12:9-14).
Sometimes, the things we need to repent of most are the very things we cannot see. This might be one reason why we’re told to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16).
See some comparisons here:
Pharisaical leaders REACT to conflict. Jesus leaders RESPOND to conflict.
Pharisaical leaders observe the LETTER of the law. Jesus leaders observe the SPIRIT of the law.
Pharisaical leaders exercise power over people. Jesus leaders use power to empower others.
Pharisaical leaders gather people in “holy huddles.” Jesus leaders SEND OUT devoted followers.
Pharisaical leaders look to accuse people. Jesus leaders look to affirm people.
and Finally....
Pharisaical leaders’ decision-making is controlled by their perspective. Jesus followers’ decision-making is compelled by the Spirit.
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