Points are shared, today, on how the ministry of Jesus added to and built upon that of the Pharisees. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jonathan” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since January 16, 2014) posted the following:
Why are some Christians very legalistic? Didn't Christ warn them not to be like pharisees?
If Jesus told them that they were forgiven already and that God loves everyone how come they don't extend that love to gay people. I thought Christ didn't want them to be legalistic.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10: 5-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sadducees and The Cross? (03/13/2016); Believing In The Cross? (03/04/2016); Religious Liberty Not Authority? (09/07/2015); Sight to the Blind? (07/30/2015); The Law is Not Grievous (06/26/2015); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); Double Standard? (10/12/2012); Family and Romance (10/13/2012); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)
“Jonathan”, seeking to escape the law, many fail to receive the guidance, protection and structure that only comes by the law. Trusting that answers are continuing to flow to us across time and space through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are reaching to here and now. The living ministry of Jesus that was dramatically completed upon the cross brought into view the many essential dimensions that were missing from the work of those upholding the covenant of Moses. Included were compassion, empathy, sacred events (we say, miracles), faith, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, and godly wisdom. The Savior demonstrated and provided on a daily basis expressions of divine love that included feeding the hungry, forgiving the guilty, fulfilling prophecy, healing the sick, imparting spirit substance, and proclaiming the eternal inheritance. The Pharisees represented a tried and trusted system that had been provided by GOD as a divine gift, and that also had anchored the people through difficult tests and trials that included captivity, disgrace, domination by heathens, exile, and poverty. The law had indisputable benefit, and was a shield against calamity, confusion, sin, and the many forces (e.g., disbelief, ignorance, politics, exaggerated pride) that threatened to end covenant with divinity. Therefore, the law was not to be abandoned, cast away, or responded to with defiance, indifference, pride, and slackness. As a necessary framework for pleasing the Father, acknowledgment and respect to law and judgment continue to be indispensable for all the children of GOD through Jesus Christ. Such blessings as comfort, forgiveness, rebirth, and sanctification that establish Christian believers as a “new creation” are in no way intended to annul or eliminate divine law. Jesus did not oppose the Pharisees because of their willingness to study and promote the holy writings, their objectives (we say, aims, “end”, or goals) to re-establish the dignity of their nation, or their efforts to have all things done “decently and order” within the synagogue and Temple. The Savior was critical of “going through the motions,” hypocrisy, indecision, presumption, pretense, and vanity (lack of divine substance). Consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:
(1.) Matthew 23: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
(2.) Romans 10: 1-4, KJV: 1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(3.) Romans 3: 1-3, KJV: 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in. (For example, (4.) Romans 3: 20-26, KJV: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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